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UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA 

Accession  No.  <O  9? <?/-<?/£     .   CLns  No. 


QUMTZJEIYARIETIES 


INCLUDING  

ROCK     CRYSTAL,     AMETHYST,     AGATE,     JASPER, 

AGATIZED   WOOD,    SMOKY   QUARTZ,   ETC, 

WITH    A   DESCRIPTION    OF 

LOCALITIES. 


BY 


ALBERT    C.    BATES, 


BY 

ARTHUR     CHAMBERLAIN 
237  North  yth  Street, 
Newark,   N.   J, 


\  \ 


|:ARTH 

SCIENCE* 

LIBRARY 


PREFACE. 


QUARTZ  and  its  Varieties  was  printed  in  parts,  beginning 
in  the  June  and  ending  in  the  December,  1895,  number  of 
THE  MINERAL  COLLECTOR. 

In  writing  the  articles,  my  aim  has  been  to  describe  in 
detail  the  famous  old  localities  which  still  afford  specimens  of 
the  mineral,  the  more  recently  discovered  and  little  known 
localities,  and  the  character  of  the  material  found  at  each 
ot  them. 

I  have  avoided,  as  far  as  possible,  mention  of  the  exhausted 

*%^*v 
localities,  or    those  which  have  afforded  a  very  limited  supply 

of  specimens,  even  though  they  were  of  exceptional  interest. 
I  realize  that  many  localities  worth  recording  have  not  been 
mentioned,  for  the  reason  that  the  facts  relating  to  them 
were  not  accessible  to  me. 

The  editor  of  THE  MINERAL  COLLECTOR,  Mr.  Chamberlain, 
and  the  few  collectors  who  have  expressed  an  opinion  relative 
to  the  matter,  believe  that  if  the  articles  were  printed  in  pam- 
phlet form,  they  would  be  acceptable  to  collectors  generally. 

Because  of  the  arrangement  of  the  localities,  an  index  is 
not  considered  necessary. 

I  shall  be  glad  to  be  informed  of  any  American  localities 
affording  quartz  or  any  of  its  varieties,  not  fully  mentioned  in 
the  following  pages. 

ALBERT  C.   BATES. 

320  Roseville  Avenue,  Newark,  N.  J. 
November  20,  1895. 


PUBLISHER'S  NOTE. 


THE  publishing  of  this  article  in  pamphlet  form  from  THE 
MINERAL  COLLECTOR  has  naturally  caused  some  discrepancies 
in  referring  to  cuts.  These  I  have  noted  below : 

The  frontispiece  referred  to  on  page  i ,  now  faces  page  8. 
Fig. -4,  referred  to  on  page  5,  now  faces  page  24.  Frontispiece 
referred  to  on  page  10,  now  faces  page  16.  Frontispiece  re- 
ferred to  on  page  1 1 ,  now  faces  page  1 6.  Fig.  7  referred  to  on 
page  1 5,  now  faces  page  24.  Figures  referred  to  on  page  23, 
now  faces  page  28.  Figs.  5  and  6  referred  to  on  page  25, 
now  faces  page  24.  The  frontispiece  referred  to  on  page  27, 
now  faces  page  32.  The  frontispiece  referred  to  on  page  29, 
now  faces  page  32.  The  frontispiece  referred  to  on  page  35, 
now  faces  page  36.  The  frontispiece  referred  to  on  page  40, 
now  faces  this  page. 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 


PAGE 

Quartz,  Hot  Springs,  Arkansas Frontispiece 

Capped  (?)  Quartz,  N.  C 5 

Amethyst  Crystals,  N.  C 5 

Quartz  Crystals  in  Pockets,  Herkimer  Co.,  N.  Y 8 

Mineral  Collection  of  Albert  C.  Bates facing  8 

Average  Forms  of  Crystals  from  Herkimer  Co.,  N.  Y 9 

Groups  from  Herkimer  Co.,  N.  Y 10 

Crystal  with  Movable  Bubble 11 

Large  Perfect  Crystal,  Herkimer  Co.,  N.  Y 12 

Phantom  Quartz,  Stoneham,  Me 16 

Group  of  Twenty-three  Crystals,  Herkimer  Co.,  N.  Y facing  16 

Crystal  with  moval  Bubble  and  Rhomb  of  Calcite,  Herkimer  Co., 

N.  Y • facing  16 

Crossed  Crystals,  Sing  Sing,  N.  Y 17 

Group  Flattened  Crystals,  Arkansas 22 

Quartz  Crystal,  Arkansas 24 

Slender  Crystal,  Arkansas 24 

Peculiar  Forms  of  Quartz  Crystals facing  24 

Singly  Terminated  Crystal,  Arkansas 25 

Bare  Forms  of  Quartz  Crystals,  Hot  Springs,  Arkansas ....  facing  28 

Hydrolite,  Uraguay 30 

Quartz  Geode,  Cheyenne  Biver,  S.  Dakota facing  32 

Scepter  Quartz,  Bingham,  Utah "  32 

Quartz  inclosing  Stibnite,  Nevada "  32 

Views  in  Chalcedony  Park,  Apache  Co.,  Arizona "  36 

Quartz  Crystals  from  Guanajuato,  Mexico "  40 


•- 


QUARTZ,    HOT  SPRINGS,    ARKANSAS. 


In  the  collection  of 

WM.    H.   ANDREWS,    Esq., 

Gouverneur,  New  York. 


QUARTZ  AND  ITS  VARIETIES. 

BY   ALBERT   C.    BATHS. 


INTRODUCTION. 

QUARTZ  is  the  most  widely  distributed  of  the  minerals,  and  is  found 
in  all  quarters  of  the  earth.  The  varieties  of  form  and  color  embraced 
in  quartz  are  infinite.  Its  beauty  and  usefulness  in  many  ways,  have 
been  acknowledged  from  the  earliest  times.  Nearly  all  collections  of 
minerals  include  a  greater  number  of  specimens  of  quartz  than  of  any 
other  single  species. 

As  it  is  well  nigh  impossible  to  make  a  complete  collection  of  all 
the  known  minerals,  there  are  collectors  who  seek  to  make  a  complete 
collection  of  a  single  species,  and  to  this  class  I  belong,  selecting 
quartz  in  the  belief  that  it  is  the  ideal  mineral. 

The  subject  of  the  frontispiece  is  a  part  of  my  mineral  collection, 
and  was  selected  for  illustration,  first,  because  it  consists  almost  en- 
tirely of  quartz,  and,  second,  to  give  an  idea  of  how  small  a  space 
may  be  used  to  good  advantage,  in  the  arrangement  of  shelves  and 
drawers. 

The  cabinet  is  eight  feet  long  by  seven  feet  high,  including  the 
fifteen  drawers.  The  shelves,  painted  white,  slope  back  step  fashion, 
which  admits  the  light  to  the  top  and  front  of  each  specimen,  and  per- 
mits of  freedom  in  handling.  An  alcove  of  any  width  and  two  feet 
deep,  may  be  used  in  like  manner  to  good  advantage. 

With  this  introduction  to  my  subject,  I  should  add  that  I  have  made 
no  original  investigation  into  it,  and  cannot,  therefore,  interest  the 
student,  but  since  I  have  gathered  some  facts  by  the  careful  observa- 
tion of  the  specimens  which  have  come  under  my  notice,  I  may  rea- 
sonably hope  to  interest  the  collectors  of  minerals. 

There  is  very  little  popular  literature  upon  the  subject.  Des 
Cloizeaux's  work  on  quartz,  published  in  France  in  1854,  is  pronounced 
a  classic,  but  no  English  translation  of  it  has  been  made.  Mr.  George 
F.  Kunz,  in  his  work  on  "  Gems  of  North  America,"  has  given  more 
space  to  quartz  than  to  any  other  mineral.  The  illustrations  of  quartz 
in  that  work  are  the  m,p§t  beautiful  ever  printed.  As  new  finds  of 


quartz  have  been  made,  their  occurrences  and  peculiarities  have  been 
recorded  in  .  The  American  Journal  of  Science. 

It  is  difficult  to  photograph  a  group  of  crystals  because  of  the 
reflected  light.  Some  of  the  engravings  will  not,  therefore,  show  to 
the  best  advantage  the  particular  points  I  wish  to  illustrate. 

NORTH  CAROLINA. 

North  Carolina  is  rich  in  minerals  interesting  to  the  collector. 
Alexander,  Lincoln,  Burke  and  other  counties  have  for  several  years 
yielded  crystals  of  quartz  which  have  received  much  attention  from 
crystallographers  here  and  in  Germany.  Besides  the  usual  forms 
presented,  there  were  found  many  crystals  showing  planes  not  found 
elsewhere.  Kecent  prospecting  work  by  Mr.  E.  H.  Harn,  particularly 
in  Lincoln  Co.,  brought  out  several  new  forms  and  variations,  due, 
probably,  to  a  process  of  etching  of  the  angles  of  the  pyramid,  and 
often  of  the  prism. 

The  "thing"  (gas,  acid,  water,  pressure)  which  causes  the  etching, 
or  erosive'  effect,  is  not  yet  determined.  Several  pockets  containing 
these  crystals,  a  few  showing  basal  pinacoids  according  to  some  col- 
lectors (I  cannot  say  authorities),  have  been  found.  Rare  planes 
which  delight  the  eye  of  the  enthusiast  are  found  in  abundance. 

Some  crystals  show  a  complete  rounding  with  all  sharp  angles 

gone,  as   if  eaten  with  acid,  but  are  found  bright  and  glassy — details 

.  of  which  will  be  given  further  on.      Modifications  and  distortions  are 

common.       Inclusions    of    rutile,   muscovite,  tourmaline   and   other 

minerals  are  found  in  handsome  specimens. 

The  prettiest,  or  as  some  people  say,  the  "  cutest "  specimens  of 
North  Carolina  quartz,  are  made  up  of  several  small  doubly  termin- 
ated crystals  superimposed  along  the  prism  of  a  large  crystal  and 
generally  in  parallel  position.  One  such  specimen  in  my  collection  is 
about  four  inches  long,  with  small  crystals  on  all  sides  of  the  prism, 
and  thickly  grouped  near  the  pyramid. 

Some  specimens  are  sold  labelled  "  inclosing  clay,"  and  there  is 
often  plenty  of  clay  inclosed,  but  nearly  always  in  an  open  cavity. 
These  cavities  are  often  parallel  to  one  angle  of  the  pyramid,  and 
formed  one  above  the  other  the  length  of  the  prism ;  but  why  they 
should  so  arrange  themselves  is  not  an  easy  matter  to  determine. 
Some  crystals  contain  one  or  more  empty  cavities,  and  I  have  seen 
others  containing  as  many  as  forty  cavities  with  liquid  inclu- 
sions. 

Bursting,  caused  by  the  expansion  of  the  liquid  contained  in  the 
cavities,  admits  a  deposit  of  clay  into  them.  This  clay  is  of  a  rusty 


iron  color,  and  seen  through  a  brilliant  crystal   in  the  "  phantom  " 
shaped  cavities,  makes  attractive  specimens. 

The  crystals  vary  much  in  color  from  limpid  to  citrine,  amethys- 
tine and  the  smoky  shades.  As  it  is  probable  that  these  crystals  will 
be  offered  for  sale  everywhere,  I  hoped  to  convey  by  illustrations  a 
few  of  the  more  complex  forms.  But  photography  does  not,  in  the 
attempts  made  by  my  amateur  friends,  properly  bring  out  the  planes, 
and  hand-drawings  and  wood  engravings  are  very  expensive  methods 
of  illustration.  I  therefore  depend  upon  description  to  convey  to  the 
reader  the  crystalline  forms  of  a  few  selected  specimens. 

A  single  pocket  has  afforded  crystals  of  true  form,  distortions, 
some  few  flattened  out,  the  rare  "  s  "  and  "  x"  planes,  and  others  with 
as  many  as  twelve  reflecting  planes.  But  the  rarest  and  most  inter- 
esting, are  those  showing  a  "basal  pinacoid." 

Now,  what  is  a  basal  pinacoid  ?     Webster  defines  it  thus  : 
"  Pinacoid.  A  plane  parallel  to  two  of  the  crystalline  axes." 
To  convey  an  idea  of  the  form  simply,  I  should  say  that   the  ter- 
mination ends  with  a  blunt  plane  in  place  of  the  usual  point.       Very 
few  of  these  so-called  basal  pinacoids  are  flat,  but  where  they  are  flat, 
they  are  admittedly  bases. 

A  great  many  crystals  terminate  in  what  are  called  "  saw-teeth 
points",  because  they  are  as  uneven  as  a  fine  saw,  but  sharp.  Others 
terminate  with  the  end  bevelled  and  sometimes  grooved,  as  if  the 
angles  had  been  eaten  by  acid.  Others  again  are  as  completely 
rounded  as  a  water  washed  pebble,  but  are  always  bright  and  smooth. 
What  ^re  the  causes  of  these  phenomena  ?  These  crystals  occur 
in  pockets  filled  with  clay,  compactly  laid  together.  The  formation  is 
very  old.  Hot  springs  may  have  made  a  perfect  caldron  of  these 
pockets,  and  stirred  their  contents  in  such  a  manner  as  to  cause  the 
rounding  and  etched  effects  noticed. 

Again,  there  is  an  abundance  of  minerals  and  rare  earths  at  these 
localities  which  contain  peculiar  acids,  and  which  may  have  produced 
on  these  crystals  the  effects  I  have  mentioned. 

Still,  all  this  is  mere  speculation ;  but  ideas  are  wanted,  and  some 
professors  of  mineralogy  who  have  examined  these  crystals  have  not 
advanced  easily  acceptable  notions  of  the  causes  of  the  etching. 

To  appreciate  these  crystals,  one  must  have  some  knowledge  of 
crystallography. 

They  are  valuable  intrinsically  since  they  fetch  high  prices.    From 
one  to  five  dollars  being  readily  paid  for  crystals  showing  an   extra 
number  of  rare  planes,  and  without  much  regard  to  beauty  otherwise. 
Very  few  of  these  crystals  are  doubly  terminated,  and  none  is  per- 
fect in  the  fullest  sense.    A  comparison  with  crystals  from  other  local- 


ities   readily   reveals   the   characteristics   I   have  endeavored  to  de- 
scribe. 

Of  the  rarer  forms  of  these  quartz  crystals,  perhaps  the  finest 
selected  suites  are  owned  by  Mr.  W.  D.  Schoonmaker  of  Brooklyn,  Mr. 
Lazard  Calm  of  New  York  City,  and  myself;  we  being  so  fortunate  as 
to  have  had  sent  us  for  inspection  the  contents  of  the  pocket  contain- 
ing the  "  eroded  "  crystals.  Mr.  Harn,  doubtless,  saved  a  splendid 
suite  for  his  private  collection,  which  is  rich  in  the  more  beautiful 
form  and  colors  of  these  North  American  quartzes. 

Mr.  Cahn  has  kindly  furnished  me  with  a  description  of  his  views 
relative  to  these  crystals  as  follows  : 

"During  the  past  few  months,  Lincoln  County,  North  Carolina,  has 
furnished  more  crystals  of  quartz  to  New  York  collectors  than  all 
other  localities  put  together.  The  quartz  is  interesting,  because  it 
exhibits,  besides  the  ordinary  1011  and  Olll  planes,  lower  rhombohe- 
drons  and  low  trapezohedrons  ;  but  its  chief  interest  is  perhaps  due 
to  the  beauty  and  variety  of  the  etching  on  its  planes. 

The  most  common,  and  perhaps  the  most  beautiful  of  the  etching, 
is  the  indentation  of  triangles,  with  their  apices  pointing  toward  the 
prism.  These  are  usually  very  minute  and  of  uniform  size,  but  in 
many  cases  the  size  of  these  triangles  varies  on  the  same  plane,  and 
on  two  or  three  crystals  that  I  have  examined,  the  sides  of  some  of 
the  triangles  measure  a  quarter  of  an  inch.  The  triangular  etching 
figures  are  not  always  indented,  but  are  sometimes  in  relief,  their 
apices  then  point  upward.  Both  kinds  are  present  on  the  faces  of 
some  crystals.  Altogether,  the  most  interesting  that  I  have  observed 
from  this  region,  is  a  lot  of  thirty  crystals  of  light  amethystine  color 
approaching  pink.  The  quartz  is  in  part  clear,  but  the  greater  portion 
is  filled  with  cavities  and  fractures.  The  crystals  are  very  much 
eroded,  and  their  edges  so  blunted  and  rounded  that,  at  first  glance, 
they  appear  to  be  pebbles  ;  upon  more  careful  examination,  one  can 
see  that  the  rounding  is  due  to  erosion,  and  that  the  character  of  the 
etching  changes  with  the  plane,  like  planes  being  similiarly  etched. 
Those  of  this  series  that  have  been  best  protected  from  the  solvent 
are  the  most  attractive.  The  usual  rhombohedrons,  1011  and  0111, 
are  pitted  very  finely  ;  the  form  of  the  pittings  is  undiscernible  with 
the  naked  eye,  but  the  minute  triangles  can  be  seen  with  the  aid  of  a 
triplet ;  they  point  downward,  are  of  uniform  size  and  in  parallel 
position.  The  pittings  leaves  these  planes  dull.  On  the  lower  planes 
the  solvent  has  been  more  active,  and  has  produced  a  number  of  curi- 
ous gutters,  but  has  left  the  surface  lustrous. 

The  etching  of  the  quartz  crystals  from  the  adjoining  counties 
Burke  and  Iridell,  has  been  ascribed  to  the  action  of  alkaline  carbon- 


ates.      The  crystals  under  consideration  have  probably  been  attacked 
by  the  same  substances. 

The  crystals  have  a  multitude  of  planes.  The  edge  between  1011 
and  0111  is  replaced  by  a  channelled  plane,  there  are  three  rhombo- 
hedrons  of  the  negative  series  steeper  than  0111,  but  only  one  steeper 
than  1011.  The  trigonal  pyramid  1121  is  present;  all  of  its  four 
edges  are  truncated.  In  the  m  s  z  zone  there  appear  to  be  six  or 
more  trapezohedrons.  Collectors  should  be  grateful  to  Lincoln  County, 
and  to  the  workers  there,  for  this  highly  interesting  material." 

1  hope  to  have  further  contributions  relating  to  these  crystals  from 
authorities  on  crystallography,  to  appear  later  on  in  this  article. 

There  are  mineralogists  who  think  the  peculiar  planes  of  these 
crystals  are  not  really  due  to  etching,  but  were  built  up  just  as 
they  were  found.  The  great  number  of  reflecting  planes  on  some  crys- 
tals certainly  favor  that  theory ;  but  the  true  causes  of  the  peculiar 
forms  have  yet  to  be  scientifically  determined. 

A  few  very  pretty  specimens  of  quartz  crystals,  single 
and  in  groups,  were  found  in  Catawba  County,  with  an 
amethystine  capping  on  a  milky  or  clear  prism.  I  am 
doubtful  about  the  tops  being  "  caps  "  properly  so  called? 
since  there  is  no  evidence  in  the  crystals  I  have  seen  of  an 
inclosed  termination. 

Figure  1  shows  the  enlarged  top  of  one  of  those  crystals 
found  several  years  ago.  Recent  finds  show  tops  much 
larger  in  proportion  to  the  prism. 

Groups  of  small  amethystine  crystals  in  parallel  posi- 
tion on  a  milky   quartz  gangue  are  quite   pretty.       A  few 
Fig.  i.          specimens  show  but  one  or  two  crystals,  as  in  figure  2. 

Crystals  showing  dislocation  are  of  rare  occurence. 
See  Figure  4.  These  "  dislocated  "  crystals  appear  to  have  been  broken 
and  then  healed  by  natural  process,  but  just  how  the  operation  is 
accomplished,  I  cannot  learn  from  reading  or  inquiry. 

The  story  of  the  occurrence  of  quartz  in  North  Carolina  was  recent- 
ly written  for  me  by  Mr.  E.  Harn,  of  Henry,  that  State,  and  I  give  it 
here  as  received : 

"  The  quartz-bearing  region  of  North  Carolina, 
roughly  speaking,  or  that  portion  that  I  wish  to  speak 
of,  extends  over  an  area  of  at  least  sixty  miles  in 
length,  by  some  thirty  miles  in  width.  This  territory 
comprises  portions  of  Iredell,  Alexander,  Catawba, 
Cleveland,  Lincoln  and  Gaston  Counties,  and  has  fur- 
nished more  and  finer  examples  of  the  quartz  group  than 
possibly  any  other  section  of  like  extent  in  the  world.  Fig.  2. 


6 

The  country  is  nowhere,  with  the  exception  of  parts  of  Alexander 
and  Cleveland  Counties,  hilly  in  a  degree  approaching  mountainous, 
and  was  evidently  in  former  geological  times  a  low-lying  range  of  hills 
covered  with  innumerable  mud  and  hot  water  springs.  This  is  borne 
out  by  the  character  of  the  crystals  themselves,  and  the  deposits  or 
"  pockets." 

The  quartzes  of  North  Carolina  are  essentially  pockets,  as  nowhere, 
to  my  knowledge,  has  there  been  a  continuous  vein  yielding  finely 
crystallized  specimens  struck. 

This  view  may  be  show'n  to  be  erroneous  in  the  future  if  any  deep 
mining  is  projected  in  the  State,  but  it  is  hardly  probable.  These 
pockets  are  very  numerous,  frequently  occurring  in  groups  of  half  a 
dozen  within  the  compass  of  a  quarter  acre. 

There  is  seldom  any  indication  of  wall  rock,  but  this  is  not  sur- 
prising when  the  great  age  of  the  strata  is  taken  into  consideration. 
What  was  the  walling  of  the  fissure,  or  more  properly  speaking, 
fumerale,  is  generally  a  lining  of  clays  of  various  colors. 

The  extent  of  these  pockets  is  limited,  sometimes  but  a  foot  or  two 
in  circumference,  and  not  any  deeper.  The  average  extent  of  the 
crystal  bearing  space  would  be  about  one  foot  by  four,  and  three  feet 
deep. 

There  are  exceptions  to  this,  of  course ;  as  an  instance,  I  took 
from  a  single  pocket  on  the  farm  of  C.  A.  Wyout,  one  mile  northeast 
of  Henry  Post  Office  in  Lincoln  County,  on  March  19th,  clear  and 
other  crystals  that  weighed,  when  packed,  1439  pounds.  This  is  pos- 
sibly the  largest  pocket  yielding  good  crystals  ever  struck  in  this 
State,  or  any  other  State  for  that  matter. 

The  crystals  lie  closely  packed  and  embedded  in  the  red  clay. 
Great  care  is  necessary  in  taking  them  out,  to  avoid  breaking.  This 
danger  can  be  overcome  by  using  a  strong  stick  with  the  end 
pointed. 

The  points  of  the  single  crystals  all  lie  downward  or  horizontal. 
In  the  case  of  groups,  the  points  are  almost  invariably  pointed 
downward. 

The  proportion  of  perfect  crystals  to  those  that  are  damaged,  is 
extremely  small,  as  a  general  thing.  The  method  of  prospecting  and 
locating  a  vein  is  very  simple.  The  ground  is  looked  over  carefully 
for  surface  specimens,  and  where  these  are  found,  a  pick  or  shovel  will 
soon  reveal  the  pocket.  Sometimes  a  vein  of  flints  occurs,  and  very 
frequently  leads  to  the  treasure  looked  for,  if  followed. 

Some  noted  localities  for  the  different  varieties  are  as  follows : 
Amethyst  on  the  farms  of  Caleb  Wood  and  John  Goodnight,  in  North- 
brook  township.  These  two  localities  have  furnished  possibly  the 


finest  stones  on  the  continent,  but  the  deposits  were  small  and  long 
since  exhausted. 

Eutilated  amethyst,  on  farms  of  Caleb  Wood,  Polo  Yount  and 
Henry  Canipe,  in  Northbrook  township  in  Lincoln  County.  The  latter 
is  exhausted. 

Water  bearing  crystals  of  fine  quality,  as  well  as  other  fine  crystals, 
have  been  found  on  the  plantations  of  Dolph  Budisill,  Charles  Shall, 
Daniel  Lutz,  Monroe  Buttain,  James  Ehinehart,  Eichard  Johnson  and 
others,  all  in  Bandy  township,  Catawba  County.  The  latter  belt  has 
furnished  some  of  the  most  perfect  examples  of  smoky  quartz  in 
existence. 

Mr.  Lutz's  plantation  in  particular,  has  yielded  some  fine  speci- 
mens of  a  composite  nature.  Among  them  is  a  variety  of  milky  quartz 
in  slender  finger  crystals,  tipped  with  a  secondary  deposit  of  pale 
amethyst.  The  present  known  pockets  are  all  worked  out. 

Opal  of  fair  quality  has  been  found  in  small  quantity  in  flint  rocks 
on  the  plantation  of  Eichard  Johnson. 

The  largest  groups  have  been  found  on  the  places  of  Mr.  Wyout, 
mentioned  before,  and  on  a  place  three  miles  north  of  Hiddenite,  in 
Alexander  County.  Some  of  the  latter  weigh  as  much  as  sixty 
pounds." 

The  quartz  of  Hiddenite  are  too  well  known  to  be  mentioned  by 
me. 

HERKIMER  COUNTY,  N.  Y. 

Doubly  terminated  quartz  crystals  are  found  at  nearly  all  the  lo- 
calities where  crystallized  quartz  occurs.  It  is  easily  noticeable, 
however,  that  each  locality  favors  a  preponderance  either  of  groups 
of  singly  terminated  or  of  loose  doubly  terminated  crystals. 

In  the  calciferous  sandstone  of  Herkimer  Co.,  New  York,  occur  the 
most  brilliant  doubly  terminated  quartz  crystals  found  anywhere,  not 
excepting  even  those  found  in  the  marble  of  Carrara,  much  of  the  ex- 
quisite beauty  of  the  latter  specimens  being  imparted  by  the  glisten- 
ing white  matrix. 

Very  few  clear  Herkimer  County  crystals  adhere  to  any  matrix, 
since  they  occur  nearly  always  loose  in  pockets.  An  occasional  speci- 
men is  found  on  a  matrix  of  pearlspar  mixed  with  bitumen,  but  matrix 
specimens  of  any  kind  are  scarce,  even  in  small,  carefully  worked  out 
pockets.  The  natives  often  select  pieces  of  rock  upon  which  they  glue 
crystals,  which  they  sell  for  matrix  specimens  ;  but  these  do  not  stand 
the  test  of  time  or  water. 

Some  collectors  consider  glueing  legitimate  when  the  crystal  is 


8 

known  to  belong  to  a  pocket  in  a  piece  of  rock  which  they  have  care- 
fully tried  to  work  out  for  a  matrix  specimen. 

I  have  one  matrix  specimen  showing  a  good  sized  crystal  wedged 
in  the  rock,  and  protruding  on  two  sides.  A  resident  of  Little  Falls, 
who  has  an  enormous  number  of  all  kinds  of  crystals  stored  away  in 
old  jars  and  tumblers,  has  also  several  glass-covered  cases  in  his  yard 
against  the  house,  in  which  are  large  pieces  of  the  sandstone  with 
numerous  cavities  containing  crystals,  just  as  they  were  found  after 
blasting. 

Occasionally  a  pocket  may  be  so  broken  into  as  to  expose  a  crys- 
tal, but  not  to  permit  its  falling  out,  as  is  shown  in  the  illustration. 


There  are  not  enough  matrix  specimens  of  any  kind  to  supply  the 
demand.  One  dealer  told  me  that  he  has  had  unfilled  orders  on  his 
book  for  years,  with  directions  to  send  when  he  can,  and  he  has  used 
every  effort  to  secure  a  supply,  with  but  meagre  results. 

Daring  the  progress  of  the  building  of  railroads  at  various  times 
through  the  County,  great  quantities  of  these  crystals  were  found  and 
sold  by  the  laborers.  Local  dealers  bought  many  a  hatful  for  from 
one  to  five  dollars.  Boys  sold  crystals  in  small  bottles  or  boxes  to 
travellers  at  the  stations  or  on  the  cars.  Bat  when  the  work  on  the 
railroad  was  finished,  the  supply  of  crystals  was  in  few  hands,  and 
prices  advanced  to  high  figures. 

A  local  dealer  used  to  advertise  "  sixty-five  crystals  in  a  box,  post 
free,  for  one  dollar."  Fine  specimens  have  always  brought  good 
prices,  and  collectors  who  now  seek  perfect  crystals  of  average  size, 
must  expect  to  pay  fancy  prices. 

Fairly  good  crystals  may  be  bought  at  from  twenty-five  cents  up 


9 

to  five  dollars,  according  to  perfection  and  the  dealer.  The  latter  is 
mentioned  because  every  experienced  collector  knows  something  about 
how  values  vary — ''according  to  the  dealer."  Values  are  arbitrary  in 
the  mineral  business — supply  being  a  minor  factor  as  compared  with 
the  demand  and  the  perfection  of  the  specimens  to  be  priced.  If  we 
compare  the  prices  asked  for  some  rare  minerals  with  the  prices 
asked  for  some  others  which  are  found  in  abundance,  we  shall  note 
the  truth  of  this  assertion. 

I  have  seen  Herkimer  County  quartz  in  groups  of  from  two  up  to 
twenty-three  crystals,  but  to  my  mind  the  most  beauty  has  been  con- 
centrated in  the  perfect  single  crystal.  "  Whiter  than  the  diamond, 
and  frequently  as  brilliant,"  these  crystals  are  without  rival  in  the 
mineral  kingdom. 

If  a  thousand  of  these  crystals  were  laid  out  for  examination,  they 
would  appear  at  the  first  glance  to  be  very  nearly  alike,  but  closer  in- 
spection would  show  much  variation  of  form,  such  as  distortions, 
modifications  and  shortened  prisms.  The  following  cuts  show  a  fair 
range  of  the  average  forms. 

^" 


Mr.  Arthur  Chamberlain's  collection  contains  a  fine  series  of  these 
crystals,  as  it  should,  since  he  several  years  ago,  purchased  one  of  the 
best  crystal  bearing  ledges  in  the  town  of  Middleville,  and  has  had 
first  choice  of  the  product  of  many  blasts. 

A  collector  who  owns  a  good  mineral  locality  is  certainly  in  an 
enviable  position.  Mr.  Chamberlain  has  been  liberal  in  disposing  of 
the  many  thousands  of  crystals  which  he  personally  has  worked  out, 
or  has  had  worked  for  him. 

His  finest  specimen  is  a  slightly  flattened  crystal  about 


10 

without  blemish.     Another  about  the  same  size  incloses   in    ome 
the  blackest  lignite,  and  is  a  most  attractive  specimen. 

His  exhibit  of  Herkimer  County  crystals  is  arranged  on  narrow, 
step-like  shelves  covered  with  black  velvet,  and  the  reflected  light 
from  several  hundred  as  nearly  perfect  crystals  as  could  be  selected 
from  the  thousands  he  has  handled,  is  dazzling.  Here,  also,  are 
groups,  phantoms,  inclusions,  movable  bubbles,  and  bottles  of  the 
minutest  crystals  galore. 

As  there  is  a  law  for  almost  every  natural  occurrence,  there  may 
be  one  to  explain  the  grouping  of  crysWs;  but  if  there  be  such  a  law, 
its  application  to  Herkimer  County  crystals  must  be  something  like 
the  law  governing  me  in  writing  this  article — go  as  you  please. 

As  a  result,  these  crystals  are  joined  together  pyramid  on  prism, 
end  on  end,  two,  ten,  or  twenty-three,  as  shown  in  the  group  belong- 
ing to  Mr.  Crim,  illustrated  in  the  frontispiece,  and  by  the  annexed 
cuts. 


There  is  a  remarkably  handsome  group  of  good  sized  crysiuls  in 
the  collection  of  the  American  Museum  of  Natural  History.  I  have 
one  fine  group  of  seven  large,  brilliant  crystals,  and  several  groups  of 
two  crystals  each.  One  crystal,  two  inches  long,  with  nineteen  small 
crystals  grouped  in  rosette  form  on  its  prism,  is  another  of  my  inter- 
esting specimens.  Two  crystals,  1£  inches  long,  crossing  through  each 
other  in  the  form  of  a  Maltese  cross,  is  in  the  collection  of  Mr. 
Chamberlain. 

These  groups  have  to  be  handled  carefully,  because  the  crystals 
separate  easily — a  slight  tap  often  being  sufficient  to  part  them.  A 
transparent  glue  may  be  used  with  good  result — the  crystals  adher- 
ing, when  nicely  glued,  more  firmly  than  in  their  original  condition. 

Inclusions  of  bitumen,  commonly  called  carbon,  are  plentiful,  and 
when  found  in  brilliant  crystals,  are  maryelously  beautiful.  The 
bitumen  is  either  distributed  through  the  crystals  in  minute  specks, 
in  hair  like  forms,  like  flakes,  or  in  masses  taking  up  more  than  half 
the  crystal.  Some  crystals  show  "  phantom  "  forms  of  the  bitumen, 
but  they  are  almost  always  in  the  singly  terminated  groups  of  orystals, 
and  are  of  poor  color, 


11 

Inclusions  of  pearlspar  are  comparatively  rare,  but  may  be  found 
in  pockets  whose  ws«i}s  are  lined  with  that  mineral.  In  Mr.  Cham- 
berlain's collection  there  is  a  specimen  which  includes  a  crystal  of 
pearlspar  of  an  eighth  of  an  inch  in  size.  Another  crystal  with  a  "dry" 
cavity  contains  bitumen  and  a  small  perfect  crystal  of  quartz !  Inclu- 
sions of  other  minerals  are  beautiful  and  interesting. 

I  do  not  know  why  I  say  "interesting,"  because  the  word  has 
grown  to  have  very  little  meaning  for  me,  when  used  in  like  manner 
by  mineralogists.  It  is  generally  used,  doubtless,  for  lack  of  a  more 
comprehensive  term  with  which  to  express  an  opinion  of  a  specimen 
under  examination. 

However,  much  that  pfesses  for  scientific  opinion  is  of  a  happy-go- 
lucky  order,  and  unless  we  have  a  reputation  to  protect,  we  need  not 
analyze  too  closely. 

Liquid  inclusions  are  quite  common.     Nearly  all  these  inclusions 
of  liquid  contain  a  movable  bubble  of  air, 
as  in  figure. 

Some  contain,  in  addition,  a  speck  of 
bitumen,  or  spar  or  sand,  which  follows  the 
motion  of  the  bubble.  Again  in  others,  the 
bitumen  is  so  heavy  that  it  falls  to  the  bot- 
tom of  the  cavity  while  the  bubble  rises. 

One  of  the  most  beautiful  specimens  of 
this  character,  is  in  the  possession  of  Mr. 

Crim,  and  is  pictured  in  the  frontispiece.  It  is  a  very  perfect  single 
crystal  with  a  large  cavity  containing  liquid  in  which  the  bubble 
moves  freely  followed  by  a  cleavage  of  calcite  (?).  The  specimen  is 
certainly  unique,  and  Mr.  Crim  is  authority  for  the  statement  that  it 
is  without  rival  among  the  millions  of  crystals  found  in  Herkimer 
County. 

Some  crystals  are  found  which  contain  several  cavities  filled  with 
liquid,  and  I  have  seen  groups  of  three  crystals,  each  one  of  which 
contained  liquid  with  movable  bubble. 

Crystals  containing  empty  cavities,  or  cavities  with  dry  bitumen 
or  sand  which  may  be  shaken  about,  are  not  uncommon. 

Crystals  of  a  fipae  deep  smoky  color  are  rare,  but  crystals  showing 
a  streaked  or  unevenly  distributed  dark  shade  of  color  are  quite 
plentiful. 

A  few  crystals  of  light  amethystine  and  also  citrine  color  have 
been  found.  Size  of  specimens  is  always  an  item  of  interest  to  col- 
lectors. The  largest  crystal  found  at'  this  locality,  that  I  can 
learn  of,  was  over  five  inches  long,  doubly  terminated,  and  quite 
perfect. 


12 


I  have  one  slightly  smoky  crystal  of 
good  form,  four  inches  long.  Very  few 
perfectly  formed  crystals  larger  than  the 
one  shown  in  figure — which  is  drawn 
from  nature,  are  found,  and  such  speci- 
mens are  valuable. 

The  quality,  and  not  size,  of  any  min- 
eral should  be  the  prime  factor  in  deter- 
mining beauty  and  value.  Leaving  the 
purely  gem  minerals  out  of  consideration, 
perhaps  quartz  more  than  any  other  mineral  requires  the  property  of 
quality  to  be  beautiful. 

Herkimer  County  affords  very  few  crystals  with  rare  planes.  I 
have  been  able  to  find  one  such,  which  is  a  clear  crystal  minus  a  half 
P.,  and  is  now  in  my  collection.  That  it  is  rare  will  be  more  apparent 
when  I  explain  that  it  was  the  only  crystal  found  presenting  unusual 
planes  among  over  ten  thousand  crystals  of  average  size,  personally 
examined  during  a  period  of  four  years. 

That  I  may  not  be  misunderstood,  I  wish  to  say  here  that  I  mean 

to  be  precise  in  my  statements,  and  to  avoid  exaggeration  of  any  kind. 

Quantities  are  a  difficult  subject  to  determine,  and  in  the  absence 

of  real  knowledge  of  what  others  have  discovered,  a   mere  statement 

of  facts  and  not  one  of  comparison,  is  the  better  plan  to  follow. 

An  illustration  of  this  fact  is  now  in  mind.  Mr.  Harn  in  writing 
of  his  discoveries  in  North  Carolina  mentions  that  one  pocket  yielded 
crystals  weighing,  when  packed,  1439  pounds,  and  that  it  was  possibly 
the  largest  pockets  ever  found  in  the  State,  or  any  other  State,  for 
that  matter.*  Mr.  Kunz,  in  the  Eleventh  United  States  Census  re- 
ports for  1890,  in  writing  of  the  quartz  of  Arkansas,  says,  "  and  in  one 
instance  thirty  tons  of  crystals  were  found  in  a  single  cavity." 

I  never  saw  a  twin  crystal  of  quartz  from  Herkimer  County. 
There  are  collectors  who  call  a  grouping  of  two  crystals,  especially 
those  found  in  parallel  position,  twins.  They  are,  however,  simply 
groupings  of  crystals.  It  is  safe  to  say  that  no  other  locality,  so  ex- 
tensive as  what  is  known  as  "  Herkimer  County,"  has  adhered  more 
closely  to  one  general  form  of  crystallization. 

My  opinion  of  these  crystals  is  based  wholly  upon  a  careful  ex- 
amination of  their  external  appearance,  a  method  not  to  be  relied 
upon  to  give  correct  results,  if  we  accept  Descloizeaux  as  a  guide. 
He  says  :  "  The  examination  of  the  last  two  sections  from  Danphine 
well  proves  the  certainty  of  the  fact  upon  which  too  much  cannot  be 


*  See  Part  I.  of  this  article,  June  number, 


13 

insisted  :  it  is,  that  crystals,  geometrically  simple,  may  offer  internal 
penetrations  altogether  unappreciable  externally  by  crystallographic 
characteristics,  and  that  a  crystal  of  quartz,  homogeneous  throughout 
its  entire  mass,  is  one  of  the  greatest  mineralogical  rarities  known. "* 

Places  are  few  where  one  may  profitably  work  for  crystals  on  other 
than  private  property,  and  even  a  hired  privilege  may  not  "  pan  out " 
the  cost.  The  finest  crystals  are  found  in  pockets  which  contain  a 
stiff,  pasty  clay ;  the  next  best  in  pockets  containing  water,  and  the 
poorest  are  found  in  dry  pockets. 

Cavities  lined  with  pearl-spar  are  interspersed  with  the  pockets 
containing  the  quartz  crystals,  but  few  of  the  spar  cavities  contain 
any  quartz  crystals,  or  when  they  do  they  are  of  poor  quality.  The 
pockets  are  distributed  through  the  rock  in  layers'  from  two  to  three 
feet  apart. 

The  natives  delight  in  telling  "yarns"  about  the  number  of  crys- 
tals found  in  a  single  pocket,  "  a  bushel  "  being  the  average  quantity ; 
but  it  is  doubtful  if  more  than  a  hundred  crystals  averaging  half  an 
inch  in  size  were  ever  found  in  a  single  cavity. 

The  rock  is  very  hard  to  drill,  and  prospectors  seeking  these  crys- 
tals, must  expend  much  time  and  labor  to  be  rewarded. 
' 

NOTE,  JUNE  15TH. — I  have  recently  examined  a  lot  of  Herkimer 
County  quartz  crystals  under  a  microscope,  to  ascertain  primarily 
whether  there  was  any  evidence  that  escaped  the  naked  eye  of  exter- 
nal features,  characteristic  of  twin  crystals.  I  selected  fifty  crystals, 
averaging  three-quarter  inches  long,  and  of  a  fine  quality,  for  examin- 
ation. I  found  but  one  prism  showing  striations.  The  pyramids  of 
several  crystals  showed  wavy  markings,  which  may  be  evidence  of 
twinning,  but  of  no  such  character  as  is  shown  in  crystals  from  other 
localities.  The  pure  quality  and  perfect  surface  of  these  crystals,  baffle 
the  novice  in  the  investigation  of  so  complex  a  subject  as  that  of  twin- 
ing in  quartz  crystals. 

I  discovered  other  peculiarities,  however,  which  were  very  pleasing 
to  me,  and  I  suppose  other  collectors  have  noticed  them  also.  The 
first  crystal  examined  showed  three  minute  crystals  whose  axes  were 
parallel  with  that  of  the  crystal  which  contained  them.  This  seemed 
so  remarkable,  that  I  looked  over  the  crystals  for  those  showing  minute 
inclusions,  selecting  twelve.  The  first  one  of  these  examined  showed 
a  single  perfect  crystal  in  the  same  relative  position  ;  the  next  showed 
six  crystals,  one  of  which  was  distorted,  but  all  the  terminations 
pointed  one  way,  which  was  true  also  of  each  specimen  examined  with 


*  Translated  by  Mr.  L.  Cahn  from  Descloizeaux's  "Memoire,"  page  146,  Ed.  1855. 


14 

crystal  inclusions.  A  few  of  those  selected  contained  simple  cavities, 
or  both  cavities  and  crystals. 

The  specimen  described  as  containing  a  cavity  in  which  is  a  loose 
perfect  crystal,  in  Mr.  Chamberlain's  collection,  should  be  remem- 
bered. 

What,  if  any,  bearing  does  the  main  fact  here  noticed,  have  upon 
our  notions  of  the  mode  of  crystal  building  ?  I  shall  examine  crystals 
in  other  collections  to  see  if  there  is  any  variation  from  the  relative 
position  of  the  enclosed  crj^stals  noticed  in  my  own  supply.  I  shall 
be  glad  to  hear  from  any  one  who  may  make  personal  investigation  of 
these  crystals. 


In  writing  this  series  of  articles  on  quartz,  my  effort  has  been  to 
present  the  subject  in  such  a  manner  as  to  interest  collectors  who  have 
not  had  opportunities  of  seeing  what  may  be  called  the  standard  of 
excellence  in  specimens  afforded  by  each  locality  considered. 

I  have  long  sought  to  learn  this  for  myself,  by  viewing,  as  oppor- 
tunity offered,  the  cabinets  of  my  friends,  of  well  known  collectors, 
and  of  public  museums.  To  wish  to  know  the  chief  features  of  the 
finest  specimens  of  any  particular  mineral,  and  who  owns  them,  seems 
to  me  perfectly  natural.  That  this  curiosity  is  widespread,  I  have  no 
doubt,  since  one  has  but  to  listen  to  the  conversation  of  a  company  of 
collectors  to  notice  the  fact. 

The  specimens  which  I  wish  to  dwell  upon  are  those  which  present 
extraordinary  forms,  but  it  is  difficult  to  convey  a  clear  idea  of  them 
by  description  alone.  I  have  said  before  that  engravings  are  costly, 
and  even  they  are  not  "always  satisfactory. 

Certain  features  and  peculiarities  in  the  same  species  of  minerals 
differ  from  each  other  according  to  locality,  as  natives  of  one  country 
differ  from  those  of  another.  This  fact  enables  one  familiar  with  the 
minerals  of  many  localities  to  name  at  a  glance  the  place  of  their  oc- 
currence, and  this  kind  of  familiarity  it  is  well  to  cultivate. 

NOVA  SCOTIA, 

Nearly  all  the  varieties  of  quartz  occur  in  Nova  Scotia.  Localities 
are  numerous,  but  few  of  them  are  easily  accessible.  Along  the  Bay 
of  Fundy  runs  a  sharply  outlined  precipice  for  one  hundred  and  thirty 
miles,  from  Briar  Island  on  the  west  to  Capes  Split  and  Blomidon  on 
the  east.  Here  and  there  masses  of  trap  rocks,  from  200  to  600  feet 
in  height,  overhang  the  coast. 

The  formation  is  the  new  red  sandstone.  Grey  granite,  gneiss 
and  mica-slate  prevail.  Trap  rocks  are  often  imbedded  in  clay-slate, 


15 

and  it  is  in  this  trap  rock  that  many  varieties  of  quartz  are  found. 
In  the  amygdaloid  occurs  the  many  beautiful  zeolites  which  have  made 
Nova  Scotia  dear  to  the  collector  of  minerals. 

There  are  many  curious  and  beautiful  fossils,  besides  amethysts, 
agates,  chalcedonies,  jaspers,  smoky  quartz,  milky  quartz,  rose 
quartz,  etc. 

Amethysts  are  usually  associated  with  cacholong  in  the  form  of 
geodes,  and  make  attractive  specimens,  the  purple  color  of  the  amethyst 
contrasting  with  the  milky  whiteness  of  the  cacholong. 

At  Moose  River  Bluff,  Basin  of  Minas,  there  occur  in  the  trap  rock* 
rosettes  and  radiating  groups  of  crystals  of  a  pinkish  white  quartz. 
The  crystals  are  found  in  cavities  of  varying  sizes,  and  may  be  loosened 
by  a  sharp  blow  of  a  sledge  hammer,  but  not  always  with  perfect  re- 
sults. A  specimen  is  poorly  shown  in  figure  No.  7. 

A  fine  lot  of  these  resetted  crystals  is  in  the  collection  of  Rev.  J. 
Selden  Spencer  at  Tarrytown,  N.  T.  Dr.  Spencer  secured  them  at  the 
locality  several  years  ago,  and  they  show  the  careful  handling  of  the 
experienced  collector. 

Mr.  H.  D.  Miller  of  Plainville,  Conn.,  has  made  several  trips  to 
Nova  Scotia  in  search  of  minerals,  and  was  one  of  the  first  to  intro- 
duce the  zeolites  he  found  to  nearby  collectors.  His  collection  of 
Nova  Scotia  quartz  includes  many  rare  forms  in  fine  specimens. 

Crystals  of  milky  quartz  having  a  common  centre,  in  ball-like 
masses,  are  found  loose  near  McKay's  Head,  and  are  curious 
specimens. 

I  have  seen  but  few  specimens  of  other  varieties  of  quartz  from  Nova 
Scotia,  those  described  being  in  my  own  collection,  and  secured  by 
exchange  with  collectors  who  have  visited  the  localities.  I  can  safely 
say  that  a  quantity  of  good  specimens  can  be  sold  in  the  vicinity  of 
New  York  City. 

MAINE. 

In  Maine  there  are  several  well  known  localities  where  quartz  is 
found.  At  Paris,  Oxford  Co.,  the  so-called  Mt.  Mica  ledge  has  furnished 
handsome  specimens  of  rose  quartz,  but  this  fades  quickly  on  exposure. 
The  rose  quartz  from  the  Stearns  ledge,  in  the  same  County,  occurs  in 
as  handsome  specimens,  and  does  not  fade. 

I  know  of  a  piece  of  this  quartz  that  has  lain  on  a  piazza  roof  for 
over  seven  years,  which  is  to-day  as  bright  and  pure  in  color  as  when 
broken  from  the  ledge.  Both  of  these  localities  are  about  worked 
out. 

At  the  last-named   locality   there  is  found  a  milky  white  quartz, 


16 

which,  when  cut  into  gems,  resembles  the  moonstone.  Mr.  L.  K- 
Stone,  of  Paris  Hill,  has  cut  several  gems  from  this  material,  which  are 
now  in  his  collection.  Polished  balls,  dishes  and  other  objects  cut 
out  of  rose  quartz  of  fine  quality  from  Oxford  County,  are  in  the  Amer- 
ican Museum  Collection,  New  York  City. 

In  Hebron,  at  the  Mt.  Rubellite  locality,  there  were  found,  a  few 
years  ago,  several  small  groups  of  quartz  crystals  with  a  coating  of 
minute  colorless  crystals  of  apatite,  which  gave  them  a  frosted  appear- 
ance. At  the  same  locality  are  found  masses  of  crystallized  quartz 
and  cookite,  some  specimens  of  which  are  very  pretty.  The  quartz  is 
in  long,  slender,  colorless  crystals,  and  the  cookite  is  of  a  light  green 
color. 

Quite  fine  cabinet  specimens  of  smoky  quartz  have  been  found  by 
Mr.  Geo.  L.  Noyes,  at  the  tourmaline  locality  in  Greenwood,  Maine. 
These  were  not  transparent,  but  were  clean  and  of  a  glossy 
black. 

At  Greenwood  there  is  a  vein  of  white  quartz,  some  twelve  or  fif- 
teen feet  in  width,  in  which  occurs  some  of  the  finest  specimens  of  rock 
crystals  so  far  found  in  the  State.  The  crystals  are  found  in  pockets 
and  the  largest  measure  about  four  inches  long. 

Several  years  ago  a  few  larger  crystals  of  smoky  quartz  were  found 
at  the  beryllonite  locality,  near  the  base  of  Sugar  Loaf  Mountain, 
Stoneham,  Maine.  The  largest  weighed  over  one  hundred  pounds, 
parts  of  which  were  transparent,  and  afforded  beautiful  gems  of  a 
smoky  brown  color.  These  crystals  came  from  a  large  pocket  in  a  vein 
of  feldspar. 

Groups  of  transparent  crystals,  and  others  with  a  milky  additional 
growth,  occur   at  Stoneham.       In  examining  one  of  these  groups,  I 
noticed  that  the  broken  crystals  were  transparent  in  the  centre,  with 
well  defined  markings  of  several  layers  of  opaqu6 
new  growth,  and  believing  the  addition  was  not 
simply  a  coating,  but  extended  to  a  capping  of 
the    crystals,   I   had  three   sides   of    the   prism 
ground  down  and  polished,   which  disclosed    a 
perfect  phantom.       This  crystal  is  shown  in  the 
annexed  engraving. 

On  Deer  Hill,  Stow,  have  been  found  a  quan- 
tity of  amethysts,  shading  from  a  smoky  purple 
to  the  royal  hues  of  that  color.  Gems  cut  from 
crystals  from  this  locality  are  all  illustrated  in 
natural  colors  in  "  Gems  and  Precious  Stones  of 
N.  A." 

QUARTZ    PHANTOM,  •»•-,      if  .       .-.  .      „  .  -,    ,  -,  .  . 

STONEHAM,  ME.  Mt.  Mica  is  the  most  famous  mineral  locality 


17 

in  the  state,  but  quartz,  although  plentiful,  has  seldom  been  found  in 
fine  specimens.  Crystals  and  masses  of  quartz  are  often  the  matrix  of 
beautiful  gem  crystals  of  tourmaline,  and  if  the  quartz  were  transparent, 
so  that  cutting  would  show  the  tourmalines  often  found  imbedded  in 
it,  handsome  inclusions  could  thus  be  obtained. 

NEW  YORK  STATE. 

A  few  years  ago  a  small  lot  of  peculiar  quartz  crystals  was  found, 
surrounded  by  a  graphitic  powder,  filling  a  crevice  in  the  Marcellus 
shale  in  Oneida  Co.,  New  York.  The  crystals  occur  with  a  deep  de- 
pression occupying  the  place  of  each  plane  of  both  prism  and  pyramid. 
The  reason  for  the  centre  of  the  faces  not  filling  up  in  conformity  with 
the  angles  and  edges,  is  not  easy  to  give.  It  is  easy,  however,  to  con- 
ceive of  a  crystal  forming  in  this  manner  by  cooling  after  fusion,  con- 
tracting in  the  process  towards  its  own  centre,  thus  depressing  its 
faces,  and  leaving  the  angles  and  edges  as  well  defined  as  originally 
taken.  The  graphite  impregnates  the  crystals  little  more  than  super- 
ficially, but  adheres  tenaciously.  What,  if  any,  influence  the  graphite 
had  upon  the  form  of  crystallization  of  the  quartz,  is  another  matter 
of  which  I  can  find  little  to  help  me  determine. 

Amorphous  silicon,  when  strongly  heated  under  certain  conditions, 
is  converted  into  graphitoidal  silicon.  These  crystals  were  originally 
advertised  as  "  Quartz  crystals  with  sunken  faces." 

Pretty  and  odd  'crystals  of  quartz  occur  in  the  limestone 
quarry  at  Sing  Sing,  N.  Y.  Mr.  Henry  Fair  has  a  fine  series  of 
these  crystals.  One  specimen  which  he  found  in  1889  and  presented  to 
the  New  York  State  Museum  at  Albany,  is  in  the  form  of  a  cross  on 
a  matrix  of  crystallized  dolomite.  The  crystals  are  light  yellow  in 
color,  and  are  each  about  two  inches 
long.  As  will  be  seen  in  the  illus- 
tration, the  upper  right  arm  is 
imbedded  and  the  others  are  free 
and  show  the  terminations  per- 
fectly 

A  few  transparent  crystals  are 
found,  but  the  majority  are  milky 
or  opaque  from  impurities,  small 
flattened  and  distorted  crystals  are 
found,  and  small  groups  of  either 
singly  or  doubly  terminated  crys- 
tal occur  sparingly.  A  few  smoky 
crystals  have  been  found/  but  of 
poor  quality. 


18 

In  the  fall  of  1890,  Mr.  J.  L.  Davison  of  Lockport,  &  well  known 
collector  of  minerals,  while  out  hunting  in  the  woods  near  Theresa, 
Jefferson  County,  discovered  a  small  lot  of  quartz  crystals,  which  were 
exposed  at  the  root  of  a  large  tree,  which  had  recently  blown  down. 

In  the  fall  of  1894  Mr.  Davison  made  excavations  at  the  locality 
and  brought  out  a  fine  lot  of  specimens.  One  group,  about  12  x  18 
inches,  weighed  over  sixty-five  pounds  ;  the  crystals  varied  from  small 
up  to  two  inches  in  diameter  by  three  inches  in  length. 

Another  group  about  8  x  10  shows  more  than  onehundred  crystals, 
the  largest  of  which  is  three-quarter  inches  in  diameter.  There  were 
a  good  many  detached  loose  crystals,  some  of  which  show  twinning 
plainly.  Very  good  crystals  of  iceland  spar  were  taken  from  the  same 
excavation. 

The  quartz  crystals  are  opaque  with  small  transparent  spaces. 
Nearly  all  of  the  crystals  are  capped  with  a  thin  coating  of  transparent 
quartz,  thus  showing  the  "  phantom  "  clearly.  The  capping  on  a  few 
of  the  crystals  is  so  formed  as  to  leave  a  sharply  defined  channel  along 
each  angle  of  the  pyramid. 

There  are  several  localities  in  Jefferson  Co.,  N.  Y.,  \riiere  quartz 
occurs.  At  Natural  Bridge,  crystals  up  to  four  inches  long  are  found 
coated  with  a  calciferous  material,  which  may  be  eaeily  removed  by 
acid. 

At  Sterling,  Antwerp,  Edwards  and  other  places,  doubly  terminated 
dodecahedral  crystals  are  found,  sometimes  loose  or  grouped  on  a 
matrix  of  quartzite  and  specular  iron.  The  majority  of  the  crystals 
inclose  hematite,  and  are  of  a  reddish  brown  color  ;  others  are  found 
transparent  and  clean.  The  iron  mines  where  Itfie  best  crystals  were 
found  are  now  closed,  and  it  is  difficult  to  obtain  good  specimens. 
There  are  local  collectors  who  work  at  the  deposits  to  obtain  material 
for  sale,  but  they  have  peculiarly  high  notions  of  value. 


LEAD  MINES,  ULSTEE  COUNTY,  N.  Y.  —  This  locality  has 
furnished  some  of  the  most  magnificent  groups  of  quartz  crystals  ever 
found.  Work  ceased  several  years  ago,  asid  the  mines  became  flooded 
with  -water. 

There  is  an  immense  dump  near  the  mine  which  is  worked  with 
'some  success  by  collectors  who  visit  the  locality.  An  old  man  who 
tends  the  railway  crossing,  whose  shanty  i»  near  the  dump,  says  that 
he  can  point  out  places  where  "  plinty  of  foine  crystals  can  be  found  if 
ye  will  only  dig  dape  enough." 

Large  and  small  groups  of  much  battered  crystals  line  the  walks 
leading  up  to  several  residences  in  the  village.  A  few  good  groups 
sparkle  amid  the  bottles  on  the  shelves  of  several  local  bar-rooms  ; 


19 

but  they  are  not  for  sale.  So  far  as  I  can  learn  i&ere  are  no  really 
fine  specimens  in  the  hands  of  the  best  known  dealers  in  minerals. 

The  most  beautiful  groups  that  I  have  seen  are  in  the  E.  L.  Stuart 
collection  in  the  Lenox  Library  Building.  These  groups  are  ideal  in 
size,  form  and  quality.  The  largest  groups  are  in  the  Museum  of 
Natural  History  in  New  York  City,  the  gift  of  Mr.  Jackson  Steward, 
who  personally  collected  them. 

The  largest  group  measures  about  36x22  inches,  and  is  covered 
with  brilliant  crystals  of  various  sizes.  There  are  three  other  groups 
of  much  smaller  crystals  on  matrixes  nearly  the  same  size,  and  several 
smaller  groups  with  stouter  crystals. 

There  are  two  groups,  the  largest  measuring  about  24x15  inches, 
with  crystals  crowding  each  other  as  closely  as  possible,  which  meas- 
ure from  two  inches  to  four  inches  each  in  diameter.  These  last-named 
groups  are  transparent  only  in  spots,  being  for  the  most  part  milky 
and  tinged  with  yellow.  There  is  a  glassy  brilliancy  on  the  pyramids, 
unlike  that  in  quartz  from  any  other  locality  with  which  I  am  familiar. 
There  is  another  feature  in  these  larger  crystals  peculiar  to  this  local- 
ity, in  that  the  angles  and  edges  are  built  up  perfectly,  leaving  the 
centre  of  the  planes  grooved,  sometimes  uneven,  or  with  a  number  of 
small  terminations,  showing  the  length  of  the  groove,  evidence  of  effort 
to  fill  up  even  with  the  angles. 

I  realize  the  clumsiness  of  my  effort  at  illustration,  and  ascribe  it  in 
part  due  to  our  general  lack  of  knowledge  of  the  forces  at  work  during 
crystal  building,  and  the  consequent  dearth  of  nomenclature  with 
which  to  easily  convey  meaning  relating  to  the  subject. 

Perhaps  the  best  example  of  the  last  form  of  crystal  described  is 
in  the  Butgers  College  Collection. 

I  have  one  large  crystal  of  this  character  in  my  collection,  and  a 
group  of  small  crystals  on  a  matrix  measuring  15  x  15. 

A  few  good  specimens  of  both  milky  and  smoky  quartz  crystals 
have  been  found  near  Kingsbridge,  New  York  City.  Mr.  F.  Braun  has 
collected  small  geodes  of  dolomite  incrusted  with  drusy  quartz  in  the 
upper  part  of  the  city. 

Sm«W  greenish  crystals  of  quartz  on  a  zigzag  shaped  matrix  of 
quartzite  occur  at  various  iron  mines  on  Staten  Island.  The  shade  of 
color  i»  peculiar  to  the  locality,  I  think,  since  I  have  seen  nothing  like 
it  from  elsewhere.  But  few  specimens  are  to  be  seen  outside  of  cab- 
inets of  local  collectors. 


20 


NEW  JERSEY. 

The  old  Hoxie  quarry  at  Paterson,  N.  J.,  furnished  a  few  fine  spec- 
imens of  amethystine  quartz  pseudomorphous  after  pectolite.  The 
finest  specimen  is  in  the  collection  of  C.  L.  Hatch,  and  is  of  a  brilliant 
purple  color.  But  one  really  fine  specimen  of  smoky  quartz  was  found, 
which  is  in  the  cabinet  of  Dr.  Stiles.  The  members  of  The  Brooklyn 
Institute  Mineralogical  Club,  to  which  the  gentlemen  named  belong, 
secured  nearly  all  the  finest  minerals  from  this  locality.  Dr.  Joseph 
Hunt  has  a  grand  lot  of  the  pseudomorphs,  and  was  one  of  the  first  to 
report  their  occurrence  at  the  Hoxie  quarry. 

About  seven  miles  from  Paterson,  in  the  Orange  Mountains,  at  Upper 
Montclair,  is  located  the  McDowell  quarry.  Here  the  amygdaloid  lies 
between  the  trap  and  the  brownstone,  and  in  it  has  been  found  several 
fine  specimens  of  pseudomorphous  quartz.  The  original  mineral  is 
very  much  like  the  altered  pectolite  of  Paterson,  but  the  quartz  has 
here  replaced  it  more  thoroughly,  so  that  groups  of  perfectly  termin- 
ated crystals  are  more  common.  Dr.  Disbrow,  of  Newark,  has  a  fine 
series  of  milky  and  amethystine  specimens.  One  group  of  milky  crys- 
tals in  my  own  collection  is  as  perfect  a  specimen  as  I  have  seen  from 
this  locality. 

Crystallized  quartz  occurs  sparingly  in  the  Bergen  Hill  localities. 
Mr.  Kato  of  Jersey  City  has  found  several  specimens  of  milky  quartz 
and  a  few  transparent  crystals. 

A  small  lot  of  fair  amethysts  on  trap  rock,  were  found  at  the  West 
Shore  Railroad  tunnel,  Weehawken. 

CONNECTICUT. 

Connecticut  affords  very  little  quartz  in  fine  specimens.  A  col- 
lector who  travels  over  the  township  of  Haddam  in  search  of  specimens, 
will  be  surprised  at  the  peculiar  nature  of  the  occurrence  of  the 
minerals  which  have  made  the  locality  famous.  The  country  is  hilly 
on  both  sides  of  the  Connecticut  River,  and  here  and  there  huge 
bowlders  stand  out  in  relief,  while  others  are  nearly  covered  with 
soil,  many  of  which  show  traces  of  the  prospector's  drill  and  hammer. 
I  have  walked  in  the  company  of  a  local  collector  over  many  miles  of 
the  township,  and  have  seen  scores  of  bowlders  bristling  with  crystals 
of  black  tourmaline  and  muscovite.  It  is  singular  how  well  the  last- 
named  mineral  resists  the  action  of  the  weather.  It  was  while  thus 
prospecting  that  green  gem  tourmalines  were  found.  An  unusually 
large  black  crystal,  sticking  out  of  a  bowlder  twenty  feet  high,  attracted 


21 

the  attention  of  the  prospector,  and  prying  around  it  with  an  iron  bar 
a  pocket  was  broken  into  which  was  filled  with  a  decomposed  mass  of 
mineral,  out  of  which  was  taken  the  gem  tourmalines  and  about  one 
hundred  pounds  of  quartz  crystals.  These  crystals  at  one  time  were 
fast  to  the  walls  of  the  pocket,  and  were  probably  loosened  by  the 
slight  local  earthquakes  which  occurred  at  intervals  during  several 
years,  and  which  were  called  "  Moodus  noises."  A  few  of  the  crystals 
were  doubly  terminated,  milky  or  opaque,  and  enclosed  splinters  of 
albite.  The  majority,  however,  were  smoky,  with  transparent  spots 
approaching  the  color  of  "  Spanish  topaz."  I  had  one  smoky  crystal, 
about  three  inches  long,  sliced  and  polished  to  show  the  albite  inclus- 
ions, which  is  very  pretty.  I  have  one  smoky  specimen  weighing  over 
fifteen  pounds,  beautifully  crystallized  on  three  sides.  One  quarry  in 
Haddam  has  been  more  or  less  continuously  worked  for  over  one 
hundred  years.  Milky  quartz  crystals  in  a  vein  of  white  quartz  near 
the  quarry  are  quite  plentiful. 

Yery  good  groups  of  milky  crystals  occur  at  the  Lantern  Hill  Silex 
Mines,  a  locality  a  few  miles  from  Mystic,  Conn.  There  are  several 
other  places  in  Connecticut  where  quartz  is  found,  but,  so  far  as  I  can 
learn,  only  in  small  quantities  and  in  inferior  specimens. 

ARKANSES. 

Arkansas  is  rich  in  crystallized  minerals,  and  particularly  so  in  one 
species — quartz . 

A  geological  survey  of  the  territory'  was  begun  in  1857  and  two 
volumes  of  Eeports  were  published  in  1858  and  1860.  Prof.  F.  L. 
Harvey  published  a  pamphlet  in  1886,  entitled  "  Mineral  and  Kocks 
of  Arkansas,"  in  which  he  says  that  the  State  needs  above  all  things  a 
carefully  conducted  and  detailed  geological  survey.  His  summary  of 
the  geology  of  the  State  is  copied  here  : 

"The  topography  of  Arkansas  embraces  upland  and  lowland.  The 
former  includes  the  archean,  silurean,  subcarboniferous  and  millstone 
grit  formations;  the  latter,  cretaceous,  tertiary,  quaternary,  and  recent. 
The  upland  is  that  portion  of  the  State  west  of  91°  west  longitude, 
and  north  of  34J°  north  latitude.  The  granitic  axis  of  Arkansas  be- 
gins at  Fourche  Cove  near  Little  Eock,  and  runs  along  the  border  of 
the  upland  to  the  west  boundary  of  the  State. 

"  Igneous  outcrops  occur  in  Pulaski,  Saline,  Hot  Springs,  Montgom- 
ery, Pike  and  Sevier  Counties,  and  there  is  good  reason  for  believing 
these  igneous  rocks  are  continuous  beneath  the  drainage  of  the  country. 
Another  axis  of  disturbance  shows  a  granitic  out-crop  on  Spavinaw 
Creek  in  the  Cherokee  country,  west  of  Benton  county.  The  stratified 


22 

rocks  of  Arkansas  probably  rest  at  no  great  depth  upon  an  igneous 
platform. 

"  In  northern  Arkansas  the  disturbance  shows  itself  in  small  faults, 
gentle  folds,  and  slightly  indurated  shales ;  but  as  you  approach  the 
granitic  axis,  greater  faults,  strata  with  high  dip,  and  talcose  slates 
intersected  with  quartz  and  calcite  veins  become  common.  These 
disturbances  are  intimately  connected  with  and  determined  the  char- 
acter of  the  mineral  deposits  of  the  State. 

"  The  veins  along  the  granitic  axis  probably  were  filled  by  per- 
colating hot  alkaline  waters,  which  deposited  the  metaliferous  com- 
pounds they  contained.  The  veins  and  caverns  of  the  Silurian  and 
subcarboniferous  formations  of  northern  Arkansas  were,  no  doubt, 
filled  in  the  same  way.  The  water  of  Arkansas  is  still  quite  alkaline, 
and  quartz  crystals  are  at  the  present  time  forming  about  Hot  Springs." 

That  quartz  crystals  are  constantly  forming  I  have  no  doubt,  be- 
cause the  conditions  of  their  occurrence  are  in  ample  evidence. 

"  Seas,  that  daily  gain  upon  the  shore, 
Have  ebb  and  flow  conditioning  their  inarch." — Tennyson. 

Then,  too,  the  great  and  peculiar  variety  of  groupings  of  crystals, 
the  many  phantoms  often  contained  in  a  single  crystal,  and  the  inclu- 
sions of  other  crystals,  suggest  more  or  less  constant  growth. 

Inclusions  of  crystals,  sometimes  called  penetrations,  which  is 
erroneous,  since  the  larger  crystal  has  simply  inclosed  the  smaller,  are 
good  objects  for  studying  the  forces  at  work  in  crystal  building.  It  is 
fair  to  assume  that  the  slender  crystals  were  of  symmetrical  form  be- 
fore being  inclosed  in  the  larger  crystals,  but  examples  are  common 
showing  apparent  loss  of  regular  form  of  the  slender  crystal,  as  if  the 
larger  crystal  in  building  had  absorbed  some  part  of  it. 

Crystals  of  apparently  simultaneous  growth  do 
not  have  this  appearance  of  loss  of  form,  nor  do 
the  stouter  crystals  show  it.  When  two  or  more 
crystals  are  joined  or  grouped,  their  forms  are  gen- 
erally the  same,  but  there  are  deviations,  such  as 
distorted  or  flattened  crystals,  joining  others  of 
symmetrical  form. 

One  would  think  that  the  crystallographical  in- 
fluence exercised  at  a  certain  locality  would  be  the 
same,  but  can  it  be  the  same  and  produce  distorted  and  symmetrical 
cry  stals  at  the  same  time  ? 

But  nature  plays  many  pranks  with  her  superabundance  of  silica 
before  collectors  see  the  results,  and  careful  study,  and  not  mere 
speculation,  is  required  to  find  out  how  the  tricks  are  done.  When 


23 

one  group  of  crystals  exhibits  small  and  very  large  rhombohedral 
faces,  distortions,  modifications,  with  here  and  there  what  are  called 
rare  planes,  a  collector  may  look  upon  it  and  admire  it  for  its  beauty, 
but  he  will  have  a  hard  time  of  it  if  he  seeks  to  learn  the  why  and 
wherefore  from  the  literature  on  the  subject. 

Dr.  G.  W.  Lawrence,  one  of  the  leading  physicians  at  Hot  Springs, 
made  the  finest  local  collection  of  quartz  crystals. 

Dr.  Lawrence  was  a  graduate  of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania 
and  the  author  of  many  scientific  papers.  He  was  a  typical,  open- 
handed  Southern  gentleman,  and  when  he  wanted  a  specimen,  he 
bought  it  regardless  of  price.  Often  large  lots  were  bought  in  order 
to  get  a  single  desirable  specimen. 

Thousands  of  crystals  that  were  of  no  use  in  his  collection  he  gave 
to  museums  and  collectors  all  over  the  world.  He  made  a  display  at 
the  Centennial  Exhibition  that  was  the  delight  and  wonder  of  col- 
lectors. 

He  did  not  part  with  any  of  the  best  specimens  shown,  and  when 
the  Columbian  Exhibition  was  announced  he  made  extraordinary 
effort  to  increase  his  collection,  expecting  to  exhibit  it  at  Chicago.  It 
was  packed  and  ready  to  ship  when  he  died. 

This  collection  was  purchased  last  winter  by  Dr.  A.  E.  Foote,  and 
the  best  specimens  it  contained  are  now  in  the  cabinets  of  Messrs. 
W.  W.  Jefferis,  C.  S.  Bement,  Geo.  Yaux,  Jr.,  and  the  Wm.  S.  Vaux, 
and  other  public  collections. 

Figure  2,  in  frontispiece,  shows  a  transparent  flattened  crystal  in- 
closing diagonally  its  whole  length  a  milky  rounded  crystal.  I  say 
crystal,  because  I  believe  it  was  such  at  one  time,  as  I  have  an  irregu- 
lar milky  crystal  having  a  stalactitic  appearance  from  same  lo- 
cality. 

Figure  1  represents,  also,  a  flattened  crystal  inclosing  diagonally 
its  entire  length,  a  slender  crystal  of  good  form  with  termination  pro- 
truding. These  crystals,  together  with  four  others  of  the  same  char- 
acter, are  in  the  cabinet  of  Mr.  George  Vaux,  Jr.,  of  Philadelphia. 

Figure  3  represents  a  group  of  brilliant  flattened  crystals.  Figure 
4  is  a  crystal  with  inclusions  of  chlorite.  Figure  5  shows  a  crystal 
with  several  "phantoms  of  manganese  oxide."  Figure  6  shows  in  a 
very  beautiful  manner  a  highly  developed  "S"  plane. 

Figure  10  shows  a  crystal  having  the  "S"  plane  at  each  angle, 
which  occurs  only  in  twin  crystals. 

This  engraving  is  of  additional  interest  to  collectors,  because  it 
was  executed  by  the  late  B.  B.  Chamberlain,  a  well  known  collector  o^ 
the  minerals  found  near  New  York  City,  and  whose  collection  is  now 
in  the  American  Museum  of  Natural  History. 


Arkansas  affords  a  variety  of  qualities  and 
forms  of  quartz.  Doubly  terminated  crystals, 
quite  as  brilliant  as  the  average  of  those  found  in 
New  York,  are  occasionally  met  with.  There  are 
very  few  cavernous  crystals,  although  there  are 
many  found  containing  liquid,  but  they  occur  be- 
yond the  influence  of  frosts. 

Very  odd  crystalline  forms  are  found,  notably 
the  one  illustrated  in  Figure  8,  in  frontispiece  o^ 
August  number.  This  specimen  is  opaque  from 
impurities — chlorite  and  sand — and  may  be  de- 
scribed simply  as  a  capped  crystal. 

Milky,  gnarled  masses  with  some  crystalline 
form  are  not  uncommon.  Distorted  crystals  are 
plentiful,  and  some  are  found  with  one  rhombohedral  face  nearly  the 
size  of  the  entire  crystal.  Flattened  crystals,  some  of  which  are  quite 
broad  and  thin,  and  highly  modified,  are  found  plentifully  in  attractive 
specimens. 

Figures  7,  8  and  9  represent  crystals  of  that  character,  but  they 
are  extraordinary  fine  examples.  Slender  crystals,  several  inches 
long,  called  "slim  jims "  by  the  "crackers,"  occur  in  handsome 
groups,  but  they  are  brittle  and  break  easily,  "  as  if  they  had  dried 
too  quickly  after  forming." 

Groups  of  these  slender  crystals  may  be  had  with  a  large  crystal 
on  same  matrix,  and  there  seems  to  be  something  about  such  speci- 
mens especially  attractive  to  the  novice  and  collector  alike.  I  have 
groups  of  these  slender  crystals  running  vertically  through  one  large 
crystal  which  lies  flat  on  the  matrix. 

The  slender  crystals  were  first  formed,  and  the  larger  one  must 
have  been  crystallized  in  true  form  later  on,  by  creeping  along  among 
the  "  roots  "  of  the  slender  crystals  and  inclosing  them. 

'Tis  plainly  to  be  seen,  but  hard  to  understand  in  a  satisfac- 
tory way. 

"  O  wad  some  power  the  giftie  gie  us," 
To  see  how  the  thing  is  done. 

Doubly  terminated  slender  crystals  several  inches  long  are 
common,  and  some  are  found  cruciform.  Others  have  crystals 
impigned  on  them,  or  adhering  to  the  prism.  Such  specimens 
when  of  fine,  clear  quality,  are  delicately  beautiful.  The  large 
cruciform  crystals  are  much  sought  after,  and  where  the  cross- 
ing is  perfect  and  the  quartz  of  good  quality,  the  specimen 
commands  a  fancy  price.  The  finest  example  of  this  kind,  is 
in  the  collection  of  Mr.  Horace  I.  Johnson,  of  Waltharn,  Mass. 


PECULIAR   FORMS    OF   QUARTZ. 
Collection  of  A.  C.  BATES. 


25 


;<"  Crystals  containing  one  or  more  distinct  phantoms,  and  es- 
pecially if  the  phantoms  are  of  milky  color,  are  very  attractive 
and  are  not  of  rare  occurrence.  Inclusions  of  chlorite  sometimes  take 

;  phantom  form,  or  stream   toward  termination  of  crystals,  as  if  some 

'force  had  separated  the  fibres  before  crystallizing. 

Dislocated  crystals  are  occasionally  met  with,  and  two  fine  exam- 
ples are  shown  in  Figures  5  and  6  in  August  frontispiece.  Such  dislo- 
cations are  caused  by  motion  of  the  inclosing  rock,  the  material  of 
which  is  forced,  or  it  may  be  transfused,  into  the  rents,  thus  mending 
them. 

Doubly  terminated  crystals  occur  plentifully,  but 
singly  terminated  crystals  are  more  frequently  seen  in 
collections  and  in  the  stock  of  dealers  in  minerals. 
These  singly  terminated  crystals  are  generally  broken 
out  of  a  group,  and  when  of  good  size,  and  with  small 
crystals  attached  to  the  base,  make  attractive  shelf  speci- 
mens. 

Capped    crystals   occur   sparingly  in  fine  specimens.  '•] 
A  few  are  found  with   cavities,   which   once    contained 
ankerite  or  dolomite,  between  the  old  and  new  crystals. 
Crystals  of  large  size,  up  to  a  foot  or  more  in  diame- 
ter,   are   not   uncommon.     Mr.  W.  E.  Hidden,  the  well 

'known   mineralogist   of  Newark,   N.  J.,  has  a  perfectly 
terminated  crystal  about  a  foot  long  and  seven  inches  in  diameter,  of 
splendid  quality. 

v  Nearly  every  collection  contains  one  or  more. crystals  and  groups, 
or  both,  and  the  "great  show  specimen*'  of  nearly  every  museum 
collection  is  a  group  of  rock  crystals  from  Arkansas, 

Large  pebbles  are  found  in  the  river  beds,  and  when  free  from 
flaws,  may  be  made  into  attractive  specimens  by  sawing  off  one  end 
and  polishing.  I  have  seen  beautiful  specimens  as  pellucid  as  a  quiet 
spring  of  clear  water. 

Dealers  in  minerals  in  preparing  labels  for  quartz  '  from  Arkansas, 
give  Hot  Springs  or  near  Hot  Springs,  as  the  locality.  The  probable 
reason  for  not  being  more  definite  in  the  matter  of  labelling,  is  that 
the  crystals  are  gathered  by  farmers  or  professional  "crackers,"  who 

* 'bring  the  specimens  to  Hot  Springs  for  sale,  and  the  exact  locality  is 
considered  of  little  importance  by  local  dealers. 

o:   .  There  is  a  difference  in  both  the  quality  and  form  of  the  crystals 

;  found  at  Blue  Mountain  and  Colliers  Creek,  which  is  worth  distin- 
guishing by  exactness  in  labelling. 

Authorities  state  that  "  smoky  quartz  is  found  as  you  go  west  from 
Hot  Springs,"  but  I  have  never  seen  a  fine  smoky  quartz  crystal  from 


Arkansas.  Small  doubly  terminated  smoky  crystals  are  found  at 
Magnet  Cove,  but  they  are  not  of  fine  quality.  Chalcedony,  agates, 
flint,  buhrstone  and  silicified  wood  occur  in  considerable  quantities. 

Novaculite  occurs  near  Hot  Springs  in  various  colors  and  grades 
of  fineness,  and  is  used  for  honestones,  and  is  sometimes  cut  into 
ornaments.  I  have  not  treated  the  subject  of  Arkansas  quartz  crys- 
tals exhaustively,  nor  have  I  sought  to  do  so,  but  rather  to  sketch  the 
more  common  forms  in  a  popular  manner. 

As  the  majority  of  the  crystals  found  are  coated  with  iron  or 
foreign  matter,  a  method  for  cleaning  them  may  be  of  value  to  collec- 
tors not  already  familiar  with  some  process. 

Place  crystals  in  an  old  iron  kettle,  cover  with  cold  water,  and  for 
each  gallon  of  water  used,  add  one  teaspoonful  of  oxalic  acid  crys- 
tals. Boil  slowly,  and  add  boiling  water  whenever  necessary  to  keep 
crystals  covered.  Do  not  remove  crystals  until  the  water  has  been 
allowed  to  cool. 

I  have  treated  fine  crystals  by  this  process  without  injury,  but 
much  care  is  required.  Long  soaking  in  a  stronger  cold  solution  is 
also  recommended. 

WESTERN  LOCALITIES. 

We  are  told  that  inorganic  matter  is  without  life  or  feeling,  which 
we  of  course  readily  accept  as  truth.  But,  with  a  knowledge  of  quartz 
and  some  of  its  peculiar  associations,  and  its  character  generally,  one 
may,  without  doing  violence  to  the  imagination,  see  much  in  its  variety 
of  forms  which  is  analagous  to  human  nature. 

A  mountain  maiden  with  mind  serene  is  not  more  pure  and  beau- 
tiful than  Nature's  finest  modelling  in  silica,  and  for  the  other  ex- 
treme, the  phlegmatic  old  man  who  knows  little  and  cares  for  nothing, 
has  his  character  reflected  in  the  massive  boulder,  which  refuses  to  be 
moved  one  jot  without  the  use  of  force. 

Silica  is  stealthy,  and  will  creep  in  the  dark  upon  some  unoffend- 
ing fellow  mineral  and  rout  it  out  of  house  and  home,  and  occupy  its 
place  forever.  No  tears  are  shed,  no  prayers  are  said,  as  there  might 
be  were  the  same  thing  done  by  human  beings ;  but  reparation  is 
sometimes  sure  and  swift,  and  the  individual  crystals  are  covered  up 
solidly. 

There  is  a  peacefulness  in  the  life  of  most  crystals  accorded  to 
but  few  organisms.  But  the  organic  and  inorganic  are  of  the  earth, 
earthy — where  is  the  material  difference  ? 

Searching  for  minerals  has  brought  me  into  correspondence  with 
quifce  a  number  of  collectors  in  various  parts  of  the  country,  and  prin- 


27 

cipally  with  those  who  regularly  visit  localities  which  afford  good 
specimens.  I  find  that  the  number  of  actual  collectors,  those  who 
seek  for  themselves,  is  very  limited. 

Digging  out  specimens  helps  make  enthusiastic  and  intelligent 
collectors.  I  do  not  say  that  those  collectors  who  buy  nearly  all  of 
the  specimens  that  they  possess  are  not  as  intelligent  and  enthusias- 
tic, but  they  lack  the  particular  knowledge  and  intense  interest  which 
characterize  the  ivorkers  in  Nature's  fields. 

There  are  but  few  collectors  living  in  the  far  West,  and  it  is  that 
section  we  are  now  to  consider,  from  whom  I  can  get  accurate  in- 
formation regarding  quartz  localities.  Mr.  M.  Bixby  contributes  the 
following  note  on  Bingham  quartz — a  fine  specimen  of  which  is  shown 
in  the  frontispiece,  and  which  is  in  his  collection. 

"  Quartz  crystals  are  frequently  found  at  the  silver  mines  at  Bing- 
ham and  adjoining  districts,  but  the  greater  number  of  them  are 
quite  small  and  devoid  of  any  particularly  rare  feature. 

"  The  crystals  are  usually  found  in  cavities  planted  on  a  mixture 
of  quartz,  pyrite,  galena  and  sphalerite ;  the  three  latter  minerals 
generally  in  small  but  perfect  crystals,  lining  the  cavities  along  with 
the  quartz. 

"  A  very  few  quartz  specimens  have  been  found  showing  a  slender, 
singly-terminated  crystal,  penetrating  a  much  thicker,  doubly-termin- 
ated crystal,  at  the  apex  of  one  of  its  terminations,  and  thus  support- 
ing it  clear  of  the  matrix — the  general  appearance  reminding  one  of 
a  tinner's  soldering  iron. 

"  These  crystals  are  generally  milky,  so  that  a  termination  can  npt 
be  seen  on  the  slender,  supporting  crystal,  and  I  shall  have  to  leave  it 
to  conjecture,  as  to  whether  the  formation  of  the  two  crystals  may  be 
contemporaneous. 

"  The  illustration  gives  a  good  idea,  but  the  size  of  the  crystals  is 
enlarged  about  three  times." 

In  the  region  around  Keokuk,  Iowa,  and  along  the  Fox  Biver,  111., 
there  have  been  found  great  quantities  of  geodes,  varying  in  size  from 
a  hickory-nut  to  a  peck  measure. 

These  geodes  occur  in  a  schist  from  which  they  may  be  easily  re- 
moved;  some  are  found  loose  in  the  beds  of  streams  and  in  the  soil. 

The  walls  of  these  geodes  are  of  various  degrees  of  thickness,  and 
are  lined  either  with  quartz  crystals,  or  chalcedony,  or  both.  The 
crystals  in  the  geodes  found  at  Niota,  111.,  are  often  twinned  and 
coated  with  chalcedony. 

A  collector  who  in  1868  worked  all  the  localities,  and  broke  open 
several  hundred  geodes,  states  that,  a  dozen  or  more  contained  liquid 
or  pasty  bitumen,  and  that  he  observed  no  other  liquid  inclusion. 


Looking  tip  the  literature  relating  to' the  subject,  I  find  in  Yol. 
'of  American  Journal  of  Science,  an  article  entitled  "Facts  Tending  to 
Illustrate  the  Formation  of  Crystals  in  Geodes,"  from  which  I  copy 
the  following  paragraphs  : 

"Mr.  Whitney  states,  that  being  in  Georgia,  in  the  year  1806,  he 
was  informed  of  the  following  facts,  and  saw  the  specimens  by  which 
they  were  established.     On  Brier  Creek,  a  stream  which  passes  through 
Millhaven,  and  empties  into  the  Savannah  River,  and  at  the  distance 
of  two  or  three  miles  from  the  road  leading  from  Savannah  to  Augusta, 
the  people  were  occupied  in  excavating  a  raceway  for  a  mill;  the  mill 
'dam  was  built  on  a  solid  mass  of  agate  which  crossed  the  creek,  and 
'formed  a  natural  basis  for  this  superstructure.     In  clearing  the  pass- 
age for  water  below  this  dam,  the  workmen  discovered  a   great   num- 
ber of  hollow  balls,  in  their  form  resembling   bomb-shells.     Some  of 
them  were  as  large  as  a  man's   head,    and   some   even   eight  or  <  nine 
inches   in    diameter.     They   had   a  dark  rusty  appearance,  the  crust 
'looked   like    an   iron  ore,  outside  of   a   snuff  color,  inside  of  alight 
•brown.     "When   broken   they   proved   to   be  mere  shell,   the  walls  of 
'which  were  from' five-eighths  to  three-fourths  of  an  inch  in  diameter, 
and  the  capacity  of  the  cavity  was  from  a  pint  to  two  quarts  or  more. 
This   cavity   was   filled   with   a   milky  fluid,  so  perfectly  resembling 
white  paint,  or  whitewash,  that  it  was  used  to  whiten   the   fireplaces 
and  the  walls  of  the  rooms  of  the  neighboring  houses.     Unfortunately 
tid  experiments  were  made  to  ascertain  the  nature  of  the  fluid,  or  of 
the  white  matter  suspended  in  it,  and  it  is  to  be  feared  that  the  oppor- 
tunity is  now  lost. 

"The  region  around  is  a  sandy  pine-barren,  destitute  of  stones  of 
any  description,  on  the  surface — but,  for  a  mile  around  the  place  where 
the  balls  were  discovered,  were  scattered  numerous  arrowheads,  and 
fragments  of  agate,  from  which  the  arrowheads  were  chipped,  by  the 
aboriginal  Indians. 

"  From  Bournon' s  Mineralogy,  Vol.  II.,  p.  33  : 

"  Count  Bournon  informs  us,  that  in  the  vicinity  of  Lyons,  in 
France,  there  is  a  calcareous  rock,  which  contains  here  and  there 
geodes  often  very  large,  having  for  their  envelope  silex  mixed  with 
lime — often  alternating  in  concentric  layers.  In  the  midst  of  these 
geodes,  beautiful  crystals  of  carbonate  of  lime  occur,  mixed  with  those 
'  of  quartz,  which  they  rivalled  both  in  perfection  of  form,  and  in  trans- 
parency. Count  Bournon  caused  numbers  of  these  geodes  to  be 
broken ;  some  of  them  were  full  of  water ;  on  a  particular  occasion  a 
happy  fracture  left  half  of  one  of  these  geodes,  containing  unspilt  the 
:  liquor  which  it  had  enclosed.  Perceiving  that  the  fluid  moved  heav- 
ily, in  a  kind  of  mass  (almost  like  mercury),  he  concluded  that  it 


RARE    AND    INTERESTING    FORMS    OF    QUARTZ    CRYSTALS    FROM 
NEAR   HOT  SPRINGS,    ARKANSAS. 

Now  or  Recently  in  the  Stock  of  Dr.  A.  E.  Foote  of  Philadelphia. 
Three-Quarter  Size. 


29 

must  be  a  very  concentrated  solution,  and  as  it  was  in  the  middle  of  a 
very  warm  day  in  the  month  of  July,  the  fluid  was  all  evaporated,  in 
little  more  than  a  quarter  of  an  hour,  and  there  remained  in  the 
geode,  a  spongy  amorphous  crystalline  mass  of  carbonate  of  lime. 
This  fact  is  certainly  very  instructive  as  to  the  formation  of  crystals 
in  geodes.  Count  Bournon  observed  the  same  thing  at  Vougy,  about 
the  same  period,  but  the  geodes  were  composed  of  black  oxide  of 
manganese  lined  with  crystals  of  carbonate  of  lime. 

"  Spallanzani  remarks  that  the  numerous  beautiful  rock  crystals 
in  the  cavities  of  the  Carrara  marble,  continue  still  to  form,  and  from 
a  pure  acid  fluid.  Ripetti  in  his  tract  *  Sopra  1'Alpe  Apuana  ei 
Marmi  di  Carrara,  1811,'  adduces  some  new  observations  in  favor  of 
this  opinion,  and  tells  us,  that  on  opening  a  drusy  cavity,  there  was 
found  1J  lb.  of  the  above  fluid,  and  among  the  solid  crystals,  a  soft 
mass  the  size  of  the  fist,  which,  on  exposure  to  the  air,  hardened  into 
a  substance  having  the  characters  of  calcedoiiy.  According  to  Dau- 
buisson  and  Beaudant,  the  opal  of  Hungary  is  sometimes  found  in  a 
soft  state." 

A  quantity  of  unusually  pretty  and  interesting  geodes,  have  re- 
cently been  found  loose  in  the  soil  of  the  Tertiary  beds  of  the  Bad 
Lands,  on  a  creek  between  the  Cheyenne  and  White  Rivers,  about 
one  hundred  miles  southeast  of  Deadwood,  Dakota. 

The  walls  of  these  geodes  are  of  chalcedony,  and  are  lined  gener- 
ally with  minute  crystals  of  quartz,  which  resemble  frost  work.  A 
few  are  found  with  well  formed  terminated  crystals.  A  very  few 
occur  filled  with  transparent  selenite  crystals,  and  this  with  the 
translucent  chalcedony  and  white  quartz,  is  very  beautiful. 
Others,  again,  are  filled  with  minute  rhombs  of  calcite,  which  rattle 
out  on  breaking  open  the  geode. 

The  fantastic  columns,  or  stalactites,  of  minute  white  crystals  in 
the  majority  of  these  geodes,  sparkle  in  a  strong  light  and  renders 
them  unlike  the  geodes  from  any  other  locality.  A  few  have  been 
found  with  lilac  or  faint  amethj^stine  tint,  but  the  majority  are  white. 

Mr.  L.  W.  Stilwell,  of  Deadwood,  has  lived  for  many  years  near 
the  Pine  Ridge  reservation  of  the  Sioux  Indians,  and  it  is  within  the 
approaches  to  the  Agency  that  these  geodes  are  found.  Mr.  Stilwell 
is  my  authority  for  what  is  here  written.  He  reports  the  locality  '"as 
being  known  only  to  his  own  collectors,  who  have  brought  in  nearly 
ten  thousand  geodes.  Some  seven  thousand  were  smaller  than  hens' 
eggs,  and  a  few  hundred  as  large  as  geese  eggs.  The  specimen  shown 
Jri  frontispiece  is  about  two  and  one-half  inches  in  diameter. 

These  geodes  are  so  very  pretty  and  cheap,  that  every  "collection 
should  contain  a  series. 

;    ..  :     .     ,  '•    ;•    >     .•  .    .  ••  •        '.  :•-.•:•..-  firfT 


30 

Chalcedony  geodes  sometimes  lined  with  drusy  quartz  and  filled 
with  water,  are  found  at  Tampa  Bay,  Florida.  The  forms  of  some  of 
these  geodes  are  very  peculiar,  nearly  all  of  them  being  alterations 
from  corals  and  sponges.  Mr.  Chamberlain  has  one  very  odd  speci- 
men showing  a  stalactite  of  chalcedony  in  the  middle  of  it. 

Small  chalcedony  geodes  called  hydrolites,  tilled  with  water  and 
containing  a  movable  bubble,  are  found  at  Astoria,  Oregon.  The 
water  cannot  be  preserved  in  them  any  great  length  of  time  unless  the 
geodes  are  varnished.  The  following  engraving  of  a  Uraguay  hycro- 
lite'shows  the  general  appearance  of  these  geodes. 


Fine  masses  of  chalcedony  are  found  along  the  Cheyenne  River  in 
the  Bad  Lands.  A  blueish-white  chalcedony  is  found  filling  the  nar- 
row^cavities  of  bones,  which  are  found  in  considerable  quantities  in 
the  same  region. 

Beading  over  what  I  have  written,  I  notice  an  almost  constant  re- 
petition, but  it  is  in  the  terms  used,  and  I  can  think  of  no  way  to  relieve 
the  subject  of  it,  and  treat  it  seriously.  B-eading  the  article  is  like 
looking  over  a  collection  of  the  material  of  which  it  treats,  one  grows 
tired  of  the  difference  in  the  sameness,  to  coin  a  phrase,  and  there  is 
little  use  in  denying  it. 

I  have  observed  "  that  tired  feeling "  come  over  my  friends  as 
drawer  after  drawer  was  placed  for  their  inspection,  and  I  have  learned 
partially  how  to  avoid  it : 

Show  a  collection  as  you  would  serve  courses  at  dinner — a  little 
wine,  figuratively  speaking,  now  and  then  and  champagne  last,  with 
a  reserve  in  the  cellar.  An  apt  anecdote  or  illustration  would  make 
serviceable  breathing  spots  ;  but,  dear  reader,  any  oddity  that  I  may 
possess  does  not  partake  of  the  nature  of  the  story-teller  or  artist. 

Let  us  now  proceed  to  the  consideration  of  the  quartz  of  Colorado. 

The  mineral  locality  known  to  collectors  as  Pike's  Peak,  covers  an 


31 

area  as  large  as  the  State  of  Connecticut.  Quartz  abounds  in  this 
region,  but  it  is  inferior  in  quality  to  the  Swiss  or  North  Carolina 
varieties,  although  local  dealers  prefer  it  for  cutting  purposes. 

The  smaller  crystals  sometimes  show  many  interesting  planes, 
such  as  steep  trapezohedrons  and  many  rhombohedrons  higher  than 
the  unit.  The  "S"  plane  is  quite  common,  and  in  one  example  a 
trigonal  pyramid  lower  than  the  "  S "  plane  was  observed.  The 
largest  crystal  of  which  I  can  learn  as  coming  from  this  section 
weighed  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  pounds,  and  had  nothing  but  its 
size  to  commend  it. 

In  Black  Bear  Canon  occurs  interesting  smoky  topaz  coated  with 
small  white  opaque  quartz  crystals,  which  in  form  somewhat  suggest 
rice,  and  they  are  called  rice  crystals.  They  are  of  value  to  local 
lapidaries,  who  cut  them  up  in  sections  parallel  to  the  base,  polish 
them,  and  sell  them  to  tourists  for  watch  charms.  They  are  very 
attractive. 

Onegite  occurs  at  Crystal  Peak,  Colo.  Onegite  is  a  fine  acicular 
gothite  inclosed  in  smoky  quartz.  The  quartz  is  often  banded  parallel 
to  prismatic  plane.  Crystals  four  inches  in  diameter  have  been  found, 
covered  with  opaque  white  quartz,  and  discolored  by  limonite,  with 
outer  bands  of  mixed  smokj  and  amethystine  onegite,  and  a  center  of 
dark  smoky  color.  Polished  basal  sections  are  in  demand,  both  by 
tourists  and  collectors. 

Near  Bidell,  Saguache  Co.,  Colo.,  are  found  quantities  of  small 
amethystine  tipped  crystals,  often  containing  byssolite  and  chlorite, 
and  exhibiting  a  wealth  of  planes. 

Cripple  Creek  produces  large  quartz  crystals  of  clear  colorless 
quality,  often  six  inches  long  by  two  inches  in  diameter,  showing 
splendid  large  phantoms  of  amethyst. 

Quartz  of  fine  quality  occurs  in  the  gold  and  silver  mines  of  Gilpin 
Co.,  Colo.,  rivalling  in  transparency  the  crystals  found  in  Herkimer 
Co.,  New  York.  Groups  of  crystals  showing  etching  suggestive  of 
Poretta  and  North  Carolina  crystals,  and  others  of  scepter  form  are  to 
be  had.  These  groups  are  associated  with  siderite,  pyrite,  chalco- 
pyrite,  galena,  tetrahedrite  and  enargite. 

The  minerals  associated  with  the  quartz  of  Colorado  are  numerous 
and  interesting.  At  Crystal  Peak,  quartz  is  found  with  albite,  gothite, 
topaz,  phenacite,  biotite,  albite  and  limonite.  Fine  specimens  of 
amazonstone  and  smoky  quartz  are  as  beautiful  as  they  are  highly 
prized,  and  bring  fancy  prices. 

At  Mt.  Antero  the  quartz  is  associated  with  phenacite,  garnet,  bis- 
muthite,  beryl,  bertrandite,  orthoclase,  muscovite,  colorless  and  purple 
fluorite  and  hematite. 


I  am  indebted  to  Mr.  L.  Cahu  for  much  information  regarding  the 
quartz  localities  of  Colorado. 

Hollow  crystals  of  quartz,  often  radiating  from  a  center  of  chal- 
cedony, and  always  associated  with  it,  are  found  about  three  miles 
southeast  of  Final,  Arizona. 

In  many  instances  the  hollows  seem  to  be  formed  by  a  peculiar 
grouping  of  several  crystals  expanding  from  a  root  centre,  as  the 
petals  of  a  daisy,  which,  in  form,  the  finest  specimens  much  resemble. 
The  prisms  are  striated  and  the  pyramids  exhibit  rhombohedral  faces 
with  plane  /  slightly  developed. 

In  some  examples  the  hollows  seem  to  be  contained  in  a  single 
crystal,  which  are  seldom  more  than  an  inch  long.  The  top  of*  the 
widest  hollow  is  about  a  half  inch  across,  which  tapers  down  to  the 
base  of  the  crystal.  Fine  specimens  are  rare,  and  one  less  than  two 
inches  across  having  several  of  the  hollow  crystals  well  developed, 
commands  from  two  to  five  dollars. 

Mr.  F.  G.  Hillman,  of  New  Bedford,  recently  sent  me  a  selection  of 
chalcedony  specimens  labelled  "from  near  Socorro,  N.  M."  All  the 
forms  of  the  mineral  are  exhibited :  mammillary,  botryoidal,  stalac- 
titic,  twisted,  gnarled  and  drusy.  The  variety  of  colors  shown  is  re- 
markable :  red,  pink,  milky,  deep  and  light  green. 

Tufts  of  radiated  crystals  of  transparent  quartz  are  sprinkled  over 
the  surface  of  some  of  the  specimens.  The  underside  of  several  of  the 
specimens  have  a  deep  mould  of  scalenohedral  form,  evidence  that  the 
chalcedony  occurred  on  crystals  of  calcite. 

At  the  Redington  Mine,  Lake  Co.,  California,  are  found  showy 
specimens  of  translucent  chalcedony  on  cinnabar.  The  deep  red 
color  of  the  cinnabar  makes  an  effective  background  for  the  chalced- 
ony. A  sharp  contrast  in  color  to  the  last  named  specimens  is  found 
in  the  quartz  on  chrysocolla  occurring  at  Globe,  Arizona. 

The  quartz  crystals  are  small  and  colorless,  and  enhance  the  rich 
green  of  the  chrysocolla  seen  through  them.  Specimens  of  fair  size 
having  an  even  or  oval  surface  are  very  beautiful.  One  such  about 
ix6  is  in  the  collection  of  the  American  Museum  of  Natural  History, 
New  York,  and  I  have  heard  visitors  exclaim  over  its  beauty,  as  they 
stood  before  the  case  containing  it. 

Groups  of  quartz  crystals  inclosing  epidote,  and  fine  doubly  ter- 
minated crystals  over  an  inch  long  filled  with  chlorite,  are  found  near 
Valley  Springs,  California.  '  » 

Long  slender  quartz  crystals  of  a  smoky  amethystine  tint,  showing 
smoky  phantoms  peculiar  to  crystals  of  this  color,  are  found  at  the 
Black  Jack  Mine,  Silver  City,  Idaho.  Some  of  these  crystals  contain 
small  floating  bubbles. 


33 

A  vein  of  crystallized  quartz  over  one  hundred  feet  long,  was  dis- 
covered about  1890  by  Mr.  John  Blackiston,  at  Placerville,  California. 
The  vein  is  much  decomposed  and  filled  with  red  mud,  and  contains 
thousands  of  loose  quartz  crystals. 

These  crystals  vary  in  size  from  very  small  to  very  large— one 
taken  out  in  1893  weighing  one  hundred  and  four  pounds.  Others 
fort}r  to  fifty  pounds  each  were  quite  perfect,  and  of  fine  quality. 

Splendid  frosted  and  fantastic  forms  of  chlorite  are  frequently 
found  inclosed  in  fine  transparent  crystals.  I  have  seen  several  crys- 
tals inclosing  what  appears  to  be  a  calciferous  substance  about  the 
size  and  shape  of  a  pea,  and  of  a  cream  white  or  buff  color. 

Breaking  up  a  few  crystals  to  discover  the  nature  of  the  inclosed 
substance,  I  found  the  white  cavities  empty,  and  the  buff  ones  filled 
with  a  siliceous  powder.  The  form  of  these  cavities  indicate  that  the 
inclosed  material  was  not  crystallized.  Beautiful  phantoms,  ranging 
from  a  faint  tracery  to  distinct  forms  both  of  chlorite  and  successive 
layers  of  quartz,  are  quite  common. 

The  majority  of  the  crystals  are  doubly  terminated — one  end  by 
the  usual  pyramid,  the  other  by  several  imperfect  pyramids.  The 
finest  inclusions  are  in  singly  terminated  crystals,  which  occurred  in 
groups  in  the  wall  rock. 

Mr.  Blackiston  is  an  invalid  and  a  veteran  of  the  late  War,  and  ac- 
cording to  his  history  of  the  method  of  the  disposition  of  some  of  the 
best  material  taken  from  his  property,  he  has  been  shabbily  treated; 

Quartz  inclosing  other  minerals  is  not  an  uncommon  occurrence, 
but  in  the  finest  specimens  found  in  this  country,  the  quartz1  is 
massive,  or  without  crystal  form. 

The  specimen  shown  in  the  frontispiece  is  a  group  of  two  trans- 
parent crystals  2Jx2,  filled  with  stibnite  and  casts  of  that  mineral,  and 
was  found  not  far  from  the  sulphur  mines  of  Humboldt  Go.,  Nevada. 
It  is  a  part  of  a  group,  and  is  by  far  the  finest  specimen  of  an  Atiieri- 
can  quartz  crystal  with  inclusions  that  I  have  yet  seen. 


Quartz,  its  varieties  and  the  localities  at  which  it  occurs,  could^  a's 
a  subject  upon  which  to  write,  be  made  almost  interminable.  But  as 
I  purposed  at  the  beginning  to  confine  this  article  to  a  coftcise  de^ 
scription  of 'specimens  from  the  best  known  American  localities,  a 
little  further  journeying,  now  in  the  West,  and  in  the  next  part  back 
to  the  South  and  East,  and  my  purpose  will  have  been  accdmfjlish&d. 

Many  new  beauties  in  this  mineral,  both  of  form  and  quality,  have' 
been  opened  out  to  rne'asThave  pursued  the  subject.  :  <(  ' ; 

< ->i  As  I  have  examined  specimens,  what  appeared  for  the  nioineiit '  fe>. 
be  a  glimpse  into  the  mysterious 'forces  at  work  in  crystal  :bul 


34 

has  been  dissipated  before  I  could  obtain  a  fuller  grasp.       Ideas  are 
elusive  things. 

Conviction  comes  with  substantial  evidence,  when  the  material 
before  us  for  consideration  is  a  natural  product.  Of  the  circumstan- 
tial evidence  surrounding  crystallization  of  quartz,  there  is  plenty,  but 
it  is  not  convincing.  Favorable  conditions  may  sometimes  inductively 
teach  us  the  truth. 

Mr.  Bixby  contributes  the  following  notes  on  a  new  find  of  quartz 
in  Utah  : 

Good  clear  and  milky  quartz  crystals  enclosing  a  greenish  acicular 
tourmaline,  are  found  in  the  hills,  about  12  miles  from  Frisco,  Utah. 
The  crystals  are  found  over  a  very  small  area,  probably  not  more 
than  1.QQ  feet  square,  and  on  the  outcrop  of  a  mineral-bearing  vein. 
The  ye^n  carries  chalcopyrite,  and  transparent  selenite  is  found  in  it, 
inclosing  tjris  mineral.  The  clear  crystals  have  so  far  been  found 
lopse  in  tjae  soil,  on  the  surface,  or  in  small  pockets  in  the  vein  forma- 
tion a  few  inches  deep.  Milky  or  semi-transparent  crystals  inclosing 
t,ourmaline,  are  found  imbedded  in  a  material  which  seems  to  be  a 
mixture  of  hematite  and  manganese,  with  traces  of  copper,  and  also 
planted  on  massive  quartz,  and  a  radiated  fibrous  black  or  dark  brown 
tourmaline,  which,  in  thin  particles,  shows  a  reddish  color  by  trans- 
mittecj.  light.  I  have  seen  no  clear  crystals  so  planted  or  imbedded, 
except  one  group  of  fine  transparency  on  a  quartz  base,  embracing 
about  twenty-five  crystals,  to  one  of  which  was  attached  a  small  per- 
fect pseudomorph  of  hematite  after  calcite.  The  crystals  are  mostly 
small,  from  J  to  2  inches  long,  and  very  many  of  the  terminations  have 
been  bruised  by  natural  causes.  The  tourmaline  is  sometimes  so  fine 
as  to  be  scarcely  visible  in  the  crystals,  and  runs  through  them  in  all 
directions,  though  the  most  of  it  is  parallel  to  the  sides.  I  have  also 
nojted  the  fibrous  tourmaline  standing  up  between  quartz  crystals,  like 
bristlep,  coated  with  a  dark  substance,  probably  hematite,  and  this 
coating  being  removed  by  acid,  the  olive  green  color  of  the  fibres 
became  visible,  as  in  the  crystals.  Some  have  been  found  enclosing 
minute  crystals  and  fragments  of  a  mineral  appearing  like  hematite. 
The  crystals  are  generally  of  the  ordinary  habit,  and  I  have  noted 
some  showing  rare  modifications  or  forms. 

Jasper  is  found  in  handsome  specimens  in  several  places  in  the 
United  States.  In  Oakland  County,  Michigan,  jasper  is  found  in 
rounded  masses  of  deep  red  color,  with  narrow  bands  of  black,  in  a 
matrix  of  quartz  and  flint,  the  whole  making  an  attractive  pudding  stone. 

Near  Colly er,  Kansas,  is  an  inexhaustible  deposit  of  banded  red, 
yellow  and  white  jasper,  which  takes  a  high  polish,  and  when  so 
treated,  makes  most  attractive  specimens. 


35 

Agate  also  is  found  in  several  States  and  Territories.  On  the 
shores  of  Lake  Superior  fine  agate  pebbles  abound,  which,  when  cut 
and  polished,  exhibit  delicate  colors. 

Agates  of  great  beauty  are  found  in  Colorado,  but  very  few  of  those 
sold  at  the  tourists'  resorts  of  that  State  are  of  native  origin. 

Most  every  mineral  collection  contains  specimens  of  W3roming  moss 
agates  in  rolled  pebbles.  Recently  large  masses  weighing  over  a 
hundred  pounds  have  been  found,  mostly  of  a  milky  white  color  with 
occasional  clear  spaces,  and  filled  with  moss  like  forms.  Sliced  thin 
sections  make  beautiful  objects  for  the  microscope. 

"  Dr.  McCulloch  instituted  a  very  ingenious  inquiry  into  the  nature 
of  these  vegetable  appearances  of  different  colors  visible  in  the  more 
transparent  chalcedonies,  which  are  termed  mocha,  and  more  particu- 
larly in  those  which  are  less  so,  termed  agate.  Close  observation, 
added  to  chemical  experiment,  induce  the  conclusion  that  many  of 
these  appearances  are  owing  to  the  existence  in  the  stone  of  aquatic 
confervae  ;  that  these  plants  sometimes  appear  perfectly  in  their 
natural  form  and  color  ;  in  others  they  seem  to  be  coated  by  oxide  of 
iron,  which  occasionally  hides  the  forms  of  the  plants,  and  discolors 
it.  Mosses  and  some  varieties  of  lichen  have  been  observed  ;  and  oc- 
casionally chlorite,  which  sometimes  is  so  disposed  as  to  represent  a 
vegetable." 

Silicified  wood  is  found  in  Texas,  California,  Colorado,  Michigan, 
and  other  States  and  Territories,  but  the  most  extensive  deposit  is 
near  Corrizo,  Apache  County,  Arizona,  and  is  known  as  Chalcedony 
Park.  The  Park  is  about  one  mile  square,  and  is  surrounded  by  low 
hills,  and  was  probably  the  bed  of  a  lake  (see  frontispiece).  There 
are  two  other  deposits  of  the  same  character — one  eight  and  the  other 
sixteen  miles  from  Chalcedony  Park.  The  trees  rest  on  layers  of 
sandstone  of  several  colors,  the  topmost  of  which  is  white,  and  which 
was  the  original  matrix  of  the  wood.  None  of  the  trees  are  standing, 
nor  are  there  any  roots  to  be  seen. 

Trees  150  feet  long  and  over  three  feet  in  diameter  are  found 
broken  into  many  sections  and  small  fragments.  In  the  cavities  of 
the  heart  of  these  trees,  beautiful  groups  of  amethysts  are  sometimes 
found  "  The  most  remarkable  feature  of  the  Park,  is  a  natural  bridge 
formed  by  a  tree  of  agatized  wood  spanning  a  canon  45  feet  in  width." 
(See  frontispiece).  This  tree  is  over  one  hundred  feet  long,  three  feet 
in  diameter  at  the  smallest  end,  and  four  feet  at  the  other — both  ends 
being  imbedded  in  sandstone. 

The  polished  sections  of  these  tress  exhibit  the  richest  colors  in  a 
great  variety  of  shades.  The  Drake  Company  have  on  exhibition  in 
New  York  City  a  quantity  of  polished  sections  of  agatized  wood  ot 


36 

all  sizes,  set  up  in  mantels,  and  as  tiling  for  fire-places.       Large  sec- 
tions, gorgeous  in  natural  colors,  are  shown  for  use  as  table-tops. 

Theories  as  to  the  probable  causes  of  silicification  of  wood  are 
numerous,  and  the  following  opinion'  of  scientists  who  have  made  a 
study  of  the  subject,  will  prove  interesting  to  those  not  already 
familiar  with  their  writings. 

Mr.  Geo.  F.  Kunz,  in  his  admirable  work,  "  Gems  'and  Precious 
Stones  of  North  America,"  says  : 

"  The  general  theory  of  petrification  is  derived  as  follows  :  When 
the  wood  is  soaked  in  a  strong  solution  of  iron  sulphate  (copperas), 
then  dried,  and  the  same  process  repeated  until  the  wood  is  highly 
charged  with  this  solution  and  then  burned,  the  structure  of  the  wood 
will  be  preserved  in  the  peroxide  of  iron  that  remains  ;  also  it  is  well 
known  that  the  smallest  fissures  and  cavities  in  rocks  are  speedily 
filled  by  infiltrating  waters  with  mineral  matters  ;  hence  wood  buried 
in  soil  soaked  with  some  petrifying  material  becomes  highly  charged 
with  the  same,  and  the  cells  filled  with  the  infiltrating  material,  so 
that  when  the  wood  decays  the  petrifying  material  is  left,  retaining 
the  structure  of  the  wood.  Furthermore,  as  each  particle  of  organic 
matter  passes  away  by  decay,  a  particle  of  mineral  matter  takes  its 
place,  until  finally  all  of  the  organic  matter  is  replaced.  The  process 
of  petrification  is  therefore  one  of  substitution  as  well  as  of  interstitial 
filling.  From  the  different  nature  of  the  process  in  the  two  cases,  it 
happens  that  the  interstitial  filling  always  differs,  either  in  chemical 
composition  or  in  color,  from  the  substituting  material.  Thus  the 
structure  remains  visible,  although  the  mass  is  solid." 

Prof.  James  D.  Dana  offers  the  following  explanation  of  the  phe- 
nomenon. "The  wood,  or  often  trunks  of  trees,  and  sometimes 
standing  forests,  which  have  been  petrified  in  the  Rocky  Mountain 
region,  have  in  general  been  buried  under  volcanic  debris,  which  con- 
stitutes beds  of  great  extent  in  many  regions.  This  volcanic  material, 
called  tufa,  undergoes  partial  alteration  through  the  action  of  the 
waters  or  moisture  it  may  contain,  or  that  may  filtrate  through  it. 
In  this  alteration  or  partial  decomposition  much  silica  is  set  free,  and 
makes  the  waters  or  moisture  silicious.  The  silicious  solution  then 
made  penetrates  the  wood  that  is  buried  in  the  tufa.  Very  slowly  the 
silica  is  deposited  in  all  the  cells  of  the  wood  ;  and  as  the  wood  de- 
composes, silica  takes  the  place  of  the  particles  of  the  fibres  until 
finally  the  wood  becomes  wholly  silica  or  quartz."  Concerning  the 
color,  he  adds  that  the  brownish-yellow  is  limohite,  which  if  heated 
will  turn  red. 

Dr.  A.  A.  Julien  read  the  following  !paper  before  the  New  York! 
Mineralogical  Society  in  January,  1892  :  - 


VIEWS   IN   CHALCEDONY    PARK,    APACHE  CO.,  ARIZONA. 


37 

"In  the  jasperized  wood  from  Arizona,  many  of  the  wood-cells  are 
traversed  by  the  well-preserved  mycelium  of  a  fungus,  secreting  iron- 
oxide,  of  which  the  still  living  species  has  already  been  described. 

The  fine  threads  are  silicified  and  heavily  coated  with  yellowish  to 
reddish  brown  ferric  oxide,  and,  by  their  minute  and  close  branching, 
form  spongy  masses  of  cylindrical  shape,  often  somewhat  curved  or 
spiral,  and  of  a  little  less  diameter  than  the  wood-cells  along  which 
they  lie.  It  was  often  noticed  in  a  thin  sliced  section  of  the  silicified 
wood,  that  these  spongy  cylinders  of  iron-oxide  adhered  mostly  to  the 
same  side  of  the  wood-cells  which  enclosed  them.  In  other  cases,  the 
(walls  of  several  wood-cells  appeared  to  be  broken  down,  in  the  vicinity 
of  the  larger  ochreous  cylinders,  as  if  by  erosion  through  the  agency 
of  the  organism,  producing  irregular  cavities,  now  filled  with  clear 
quartz. 

Another  mode  of  growth  of  the  funges  was  well  shown  in  many 
branching  plants  which  have  insinuated  themselves  within  the  thin 
lamellae,  which  make  up  the  walls  of  the  wood-cells,  and  so  have 
crossed  over  several  cells  through  and  inside  of  their  walls,  but  with- 
out entering  the  cells. 

The  mode  of  introduction  of  the  fungus  into  the  wood  is  clearly 
shown  in  many  thin  veins  of  agate  which  cross  the  sections,  and  indi- 
cate cracks  in  the  trunk  of  the  original  tree.  In  these  veins,  as  well 
as  in  the  erosion  cavities  referred  to  above,  many  fungus  spores  were 
observed,  sprouting  into  mycelium,  of  which  some  of  the  branches 
were  noticed,  penetrating  through  the  walls  of  the  neighboring 
wood-cells. 

From  these,  as  well  as  from  other  facts  observed  on  the  plant  now 
living,  the  following  conclusions  were  drawn : 

1st.  That  the  tree  fell  and  was  submerged  in  a  shallow  sheet  of 
gently  running  water,  such  as  that  which  oozes  through  the  cedar 
swamps  of  the  Alan  tic  Coast  down  to  the  sea,  at  the  present  day.  i 

2nd.  The  wood-tissue  of  the  tree  was  attacked  by  the  water  fungus 
immediately  after  its  fall,  and  this  growth  mainly  progressed  on  the 
lower  side  of  the  cells  in  the  prostrate  tree.  After  the  decay  and 
loosening  of  the  bark,  the  floating  spores  of  the  fungus  evidently 
made  their  entrances  into  the  tree,  through  the  crack  in  its  trunks. 

3rd.  The  slowly  moving  current  under  the  swamp  brought  by  in- 
filtration into  the  wood-cells,  a  constant  supply  of  water  charged  with 
;organic  salts  of  iron,  etc.  The  coloration  of  the  wood  has  been  ef- 
iected,  not  by  the  chemical  or  mechanical  agency,; but  Entirely  by 
organic  secretion  and  deposit  of  ferric  oxide,  :etc.,  by  this  . interesting 
•species  of  water-fungus.  ; :  ' !  ft 

V     4fch.  The  complete  Silicifica,tion:of  the  wood  finally  rensued/  with -a 


38 

deposit  of  the  chalcedouic  and  crystalline  quartz,  producing  varieties 
of  jasper,  banded  chalcedony,  ruin-agate,  etc. 

In  the  silicified  wood  from  Barillas  Springs,  Texas,  still  more  deli- 
cate and  complex  forms  of  the  same  fungus  were  detected  in  a  perfect 
state  of  preservation." 

MEXICO. 

Mexican  quartz  is  famous  the  world  over,  and  has  an  individuality 
of  its  own  which  is  readily  recognizable  by  those  familiar  with  it,  even 
though  its  variety  of  forms  and  colors  exceeds  that  of  any  other  North 
American  locality. 

Mr.  William  Niven,  the  well  known  mineralogist,  has  made  re- 
peated collecting  trips  through  Mexico,  and  his  knowledge  respecting 
localities,  the  people  and  their  institutions,  is  both  extensive  and  in- 
teresting. Mr.  Niven  is  a  good  observer,  and  the  small  affairs  incident 
to  life  do  not  escape  him.  Consequently  his  stories  of  travel  are 
replete  with  the  detail  of  his  observations,  which  enables  one  to  see  as 
he  has  seen. 

A  collector  seeking  large  lots  of  minerals  in  Mexico  must  call  at 
the  homes  of  the  men  who  labor  in  the  mines,  and  take  such  specimens 
as  have  escaped  injury  at  the  hands  of  the  children,  who  use  them  as 
pretty  playthings.  The  homes  are  adobes,  dug-outs,  hovels  or  huts, 
infested  generally  with  insects  and  filth. 

Men  who  work  all  day  more  or  less  under  ground,  carrying  upon 
their  backs  sacks  containing  150  pounds  of  ore,  and  receiving  in 
return  25c.  (Mexican  money),  must  necessarily  live  in  squalor. 

These  laborers  do  not  know  mineral  specimens  by  their  proper 
names,  as  quartz,  amethysts,  apophyllite,  etc.,  but  by  some  term  which 
includes  all  crystallized  minerals  :  Thus,  at  Guanajuato  the  term  is 
"  Gheekeely,"  signifying  sample ;  at  Pachuca,  "  gallos,"  anglicized 
rooster.  It  seems  funny  to  think  of  an  amethyst  being  called  a 
rooster. 

Specimens  may  be  bought  by  tourists  at  fancy  prices  of  people 
who  deal  in  minerals  at  the  mining  centers,  but  a  collector,  seeking 
material  to  ship  and  sell  may  buy  very  cheaply  of  the  miners,  if  he 
will  suffer  the  inconveniences  and  torments  a  sojourner  among  them 
must  encounter. 

With  all  their  squalor,  the  Mexican  Indian  laborers  are  very  polite 
people.  Once  interest  them,  and  often  your  presence  alone  is  enough 
for  that,  their  politeness  is  extreme  ;  but  it  is  not  sincere. 

The  mines  of  Pachuca  and  Guanajuato  are  essentially  silver.  The 
ore  of  the  former  is  in  quartz  veins,  which  afford  great  quantities  of 


milky  quartz  crystals.     Specimens  are  often  found  sprinkled  with  balls 
of  bright  pink  rhodocrosite. 

Milky  quartz  occurs  at  the  Mina  de  Dolores,  at  Key  del  Nonte,  near 
Pachuca.  Very  Itttle  amethystine  quartz  is  found,  but  Mr.  Niven  saw 
one  doubly-terminated  crystal  of  deep  color,  nine  inches  long  by  one 
and  a  half  inches  in  diameter,  quite  perfect,  and  worth,  according  to 
his  estimation,  one  hundred  dollars.  Mr.  Niven  hopes  soon  to  secure 
this  crystal. 

There  are  two  noticeable  features  of  the  Pachuca  quartz :  That 
the  crystals  of  a  group  vary  much  in  length,  and  that  they  are  brittle. 
They  seem  to  have  grown  quickly,  and  with  too  little  real  substance, 
and  sometimes  specimens  seem  to  me  to  have  lost  their  moisture,  thus 
rendering  them  brittle. 

The  mines  of  Guanajuato  are  many  and  have  been  extremely  rich 
in  minerals,  yielding  their  stockholders  handsome  cash  returns,  and 
collectors  a  quantity  of  splendid  specimens. 

The  Valenciano  Mine,  famous  as  the  place  of  occurrence  of  the 
mineral  valencianite,  was  of  great  extent,  but  is  now  filled  with  water 
and  abandoned.  A  miner  entering  it  in  its  later  days,  was  obliged  to 
walk  an  hour  and  a  half  to  reach  the  spot  at  which  he  was  to  work.  A 
tunnel  cut  the  vein  at  right  angles,  and  then  followed  it  down  a  long 
series  of  levels.  Water  followed  the  windings  in  a  trough  of  rock  at 
one  side  of  the  passage,  and  found  its  way  out  of  the  mine  through  a 
tunnel  made  to  carry  it  off. 

All  of  the  ore  from  this  mine  was  carried  in  bags  upon  the  backs 
of  men  up  to  the  ore  house  at  the  mouth  of  the  tunnel.  The  condition 
of  the  mine  necessitated  labor  of  this  sort,  and  men  willing  to  perform 
it  for  a  miserable  subsistence  were  at  hand.  But  the  song  from  start 
to  finish  was  up,  up,  up !  attuned  to  the  surging  of  the  hurrying  water. 
I  don't  know  whether  or  not  to  be  glad  that  the  water  now  prevents  such 
awful  labor.  Fair  specimens  of  quartz  and  amethysts  were  found  at 
the  farthest  end  of  this  mine. 

The  Mina  de  Luz — "  Mine  of  Light " — afforded  excellent  specimens 
of  quartz.  The  Mina  de  las  Rayas  is  another  of  great  extent,  Mr. 
Niven  after  entering  having  walked  continuously  for  an  hour  and  a 
half  to  reach  the  quartz  pockets,  securing  beautiful  amethyst  and 
milky  quartz  groups. 

The  chief  features  of  the  quartz  of  this  district  are  in  the  delicacy 
of  the  tints  and  blending  of  quality  and  color,  and  in  its  associations 
with  other  minerals.  Bands  of  amethystine  tints  in  the  matrix,  and 
on  up  to  the  tips  of  the  crystals  of  a  group,  are  not  unusual.  Oval 
groups  of  short  crystals  with  an  amethystine  blush  appeal  to  all  lovers 
of  beauty.  And  then  there  are  groups  of  the  deepest  royal  purple, 


40 

Some  with  quite  transparent  tips,  and  others  showing  phan- 
toms. 

Groups  of  quartz,  either  milky  or  amethystine,  with  fine  calcite 
"crystals,  small  and  large,  sprinkled  over  them,  are  common.  Trans- 
parent crystals  with  hollows  in  the  faces  of  the  pyramid,  are  frequently 
iound. 

Scepter  crystals,  some  in  curious  combination  with  crystals  of 
peculiar  shape,  are  occasionally  met  with,  a  few  specimens  of  which 
I  have  secured,  and  two  are  shown  in  the  frontispiece. 

Crystals  inclosing  floating  bubbles  are  rare.  The  specimen  shown 
.is  a  good  one,  the  bubble  moving  in  a  zig-zag  cavity  over  two  inches 
long. 

There  are  other  places  in  Mexico  where  quartz  occurs,  but  they  are 
not  very  well  known  and  but  few  specimens  have  been  offered  for  sale 
in  this  country. 

The  amethyst  is  a  variety  of  quartz  or  rock-crystal,  distinguished 
by  its  fine  violet  blue  or  purple  color.  This  tint  seems  to  be  caused 
by  a  minute  mixture  of  the  peroxide  either  of  iron  or  manganese,  and 
is  lost  when  the  stone  is  exposed  to  the  action  of  fire. 

The  amethyst  is  one  of  the  precious  stones  mentioned  in  the  Bible. 
Commentators  generally  are  agreed  that  the  amethyst  is  the  stone  in- 
.dicated  by  the  Hebrew  word  "achlamah,"  an  opinion  which  is  abun- 
dantly supported  by  the  ancient  versions. 

The  amethyst,  according  to  Pliny,  got  its  name,  dpettaTof*  from 
its  supposed  power  of  preventing  drunkenness. 

Pennsylvania  has  no  extensive  deposits  of  crystallized  quartz,  but 
the  mineral  is  widely  distributed  within  her  borders  and  in  consid- 
erable variety.  In  bygone  years  many  interesting  specimens  were 
found,  a  goodly  number  of  which  have  a  permanent  place  in  the  cabi- 
nets of  local  collectors. 

As  becomes  collectors  living  in  a  State  which  has  furnished  them 
a  great  variety  of  beautiful  minerals,  they  are  conservative,  and  select 
specimens  with  rare  judgment  and  keen  discrimination. 
,;  The  amethysts  found  in  Delaware  County  are  superior  to  those 
afforded  by  any  other  American  locality.  One  has  but  to  see  the 
magnificent  specimen  from  Upper  Providence  in  the  collection  of  the 
American  Museum  of  Natural  History,  or  an  illustration  of  it  in  natural 
.colors  in  "  Gems  and  Precious  Stones  of  North  America,"  to  appreci- 
ate the  truth  of  the  assertion. 

;..  This  specimen  is  a  cluster  of  royal  purple  crystals,  not  of  gem 
^quality,  and  the  largest  crystal,  measures  four '•  and  one  half  inches 
.across  the  prism.  .  F.  ,  ',.  s  .  sen?  c-:  ft-toii,  j  ojij  ftffcfi  •  ':  •  ^-;  ^- 


§ 

< 
a 


V*  OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY 


41 

The  finest  gem  crystals  that  I  have  seen  were  found  near  Chester, 
in  a  sandy  soil  intermixed  with  clay.  The  purple  color  is  very  un- 
evenly distributed  through  the  majority  of  the  crystals  found  at  this 
locality.  Some  are  purple  in  the  centre,  others  purple  in  one  or  both 
ends,  the  other  parts  being  colorless.  In  the  more  transparent  crystals 
a  smoky  phantom  may  occasionally  be  seen  in  the  purple  parts.  I 
have  from  this  locality  a  brilliant  cut  gem  over  an  inch  across,  with  a 
smoky  phantom  in  its  center.  Unlike  most  amethysts,  it  is  mdre 
beautiful  by  artificial  light  than  by  daylight.  Several  collectors 
whose  opinions  are  of  value,  pronounce  it  the  finest  gem  amethyst 
which  has  come  under  their  notice  from  any  locality. 

In  Birmingham  crystals  are  found  in  groups,  or  on  a  quart^ifce 
matrix.  In  Middle  town,  Concord,  Marple  and  other  places  b6th 
singly  and  doubly  terminated  crystals  of  good  color  have  been  found. 

Fine  specimens  of  amethyst  from  any  of  the  Delaware  County 
localities  fetch  high  prices. 

Prase  is  found  at  Blue  Hill  in  doubly  terminated  crystals,  seldom 
more  than  one  inch  long,  and  in  rosettes  and  bunches  of  crystals  lip 
to  three  inches  across.  This  is  the  finest  distinctly  green  crystallized 
iquartz  found  at  any  American  locality.  Nodular  aggregations  of 
quartz  coated  with  a  micaceous  substance  are  found  at  the  same 
place. 

Very  good  specimens  of  lamellar  quartz,  called  cleavable  quartz  by 
local  collectors,  occur  in  loose  boulders,  milky  and  transparent  in 
spots,  at  Overbrooke  and  Howard  House,  Delaware  County.  At  Hen- 
derson Station,  Montgomery  County,  transparent  and  milky  groups  of 
quartz  crystals  occur  implanted  on  crusts  of  quartz.  The  crystals 
taper  toward  the  pyramid,  which  generally  exhibits  one  prominent 
rhombohedral  plane. 

At  Hitners,  curved  and  dislocated  crystals  are  found.  Drusy 
quartz  and  chalcedony  of  several  shades  of  honey  color,  some  quite 
brilliant,  are  found  at  the  old  Corundum  Mines  in  Newlin. 

Doubly  terminated  quartz  crystals,  opaque  and  quite  rough  and 
pitted,  are  found  at  the  lead  mines  at  Phcenixville. 

A  few  very  interesting  pseudomorphs  of  quartz  after  twin  crystals 
of  feldspar  were  found  in  1893  by  Mr.  Elmer  Benge  at  the  Old  Copper 
Mines  near  Shannonville.  The  pseudomorphs  were  all  of  the  s£iWe 
general  character,  but  of  different  sizes,  the  largest  crystals  found 
being  over  five  inches  long  and  coated  with  drusy  quartz,  and  standing 
,m  relief  in  a  thick  shell  of  quartz. 

i      The  largest  specimen  is  now  in  my  collection,  and,  though  homely, 
is  unique  among  pseudomorphs. 
1       Asbestus  altered  to  quartz,  is  found  at  Marple.      At  Newton,  what 


is, said  vto  be  serpentine  altered  to  quartz  is  found  in  large  masses, 
with  cavities  in  it  filled  with  minute  quartz  crystals  of  bright  brown 
colors  :iv  ..,,.-/.:  •:.;<;  ••-  > 

.Many  qther  quartz  pseudomorphs  have  been  found,  several  having 
been  described  in  the  American  Journal  of  Science. 

One  of  the  most  attractive  groups  of  quartz  that  I  have  seen  from 
a  Pennsylvania  locality  is  in  the  American  Museum  of  Natural  History 
collection.  The  specimen  is  about  9x12  inches,  with  trilliant  crystals 
an. inch  or  more  in  length  sticking  out  in  all  directions.  Lying  flat  in 
cruciform  position  on  one  side  of  the  group  are  two  crystals,  the 
longer  of  which  measures  nine  inches.  The  contrast  in  position  and 
color  between  the  small  and  large  crystals  is  very  striking.  The  spec- 
is  labelled  from 

PAXINOS,  NORTHUMBERLAND  COUNTY,  PA.  7; 


The  siliceous  oolite  found  in  Centre  County,  was  described  by  Geol 
B.  Wieland'in  THE  MINERALOGISTS  MONTHLY,  Vol.  VI,  No.  1,  which  is 
quoted  in  full : 

j  r  "In  the A  midst  of  the  wide  valley  formed  by  the  Appalachian 
Mountains  as  they  stretch  through  Centre  County,  Pa.,  is  an  area  of 
secondary  highlands,  itself  divided  into  hills  and  valleys,  known  a& 
the  Chestnut  Ridge.  It  extends  about  parallel  to  the  northeasterly 
a&d  southwesterly  trend  of  the  mountains,  quite  across  Centre  County, 
Qccupies  an  area  some  thirty  miles  long  and  two  to  three  miles  wide, 
is  poorly  watered,  of  a  light  sandy  soil,  and  mostly  covered  by  forests 
;of  ;pine,  oak  and  chestnut.  Though  not  wholly  unfertile,  and  slowly 
;being  obliterated  by  farms,  this  region  is  in  some  of  the  older  maps 
•marked  as  the  "Barrens,"  and  is  still  often  locally  so-called.  The 
underlying  rock  is  a  sandstone,  and  scattered  over  the  surface  is  much 
Ipose  sandstone  and  flint.  Here  and  there  are  beds  of  limonite  and 
hematite,  abandoned  or  still  being  worked.  In  fact  it  ranks  as  a  rich 
iron  region.. 

;,-.  So  much  of  detail  in  the  description  of  this  area,  for  the  fact  that 
amongst  the  rocky  debris  of  its  soil  and  surface  is  found  irregularly 
shaped  boulders  and  fragments,  much  weathered  and  iron  stained,  at 
first  sight  very  rough  looking,  but  really  the  most  singular  and  beau- 
tiful of  all  the  oolites,  called  siliceous  oolite. 

The  name  arises  from  the  fact  shown  by  the  following  analysis  :    : 
Single;  Spherule  from  Pennsylvania  Siliceous  Oolite. 

Silica ;'. .- •••; ....  .>; .-,  '.v, . ; .  . , . ; . ;     99.99 

, . . ..... .  . . . ....;.:....         .01 

100.00 


43 

Single  Spherule  from  Iowa  River  Oolite. 

Silica 2:54 

Iron .  : tralce 

Calcium  Carbonate .  .  97.44 


1  While  .traces  are  met  with  (the  oolite  being  very  variable  in  ap- 
pearance and  qi  4ity)  at  various  points  in  the  Chestnut  Ridge  country, 
the  most  frequent  occurrence  is  marked  by  a  line  running  northeast 
from  Scotia  and  terminating  two  miles  north  northwest  of  State  Col- 
lege, where  the  blocks  are  quite  numerous  and  reach  a  weight  of  as 
much  as  four  hundred  pounds,  and  where  all  the  finer  specimens  are 
obtained.  Many  of  the  pieces  from  this  point  are  free  enough  from 
iron  and  cleavage  to  admit  of  getting  good  cabinet  specimens  showing 
,to  perfection  the  wonderful  regularity  in  the  size  of  the  spherules, 
the  concentric  lines,  and,  under  the  lens,  when  polished,  the  groups  of 
interspherules.  Occasionally  the  blocks  contain  cavities  lined  with 
quartz  crystals.  Sometimes  a  section  shows  a  porous  structure,  the 
position  of  the  spherules  being  occupied  by  spherical  cavities  lined 
with  drusy  quartz,  presenting  an  appearance  as  of  many  minute  quartz 
geodes  broken  open  in  matrix. 

Whe  ther  this  oolite  is  of  organic  origin  or  not  is  uncertain.     Where 
it  came  from  remains  an  unanswered  question.       Roughly  speaking, 
the   Chestnut  Ridge   region  belongs  to  the  Canadian  period,  but  no 
connection  between  the  siliceous  oolite  and  the  underlying  rocks  has 
yet  been  established.       A  strata  of  lime  silica  oolite  in  conjunction 
with  silica  lime   oolite,  of   peculiar  structure,  crops   out  in  a  higher 
'horizon  (ordovician  ?)    on   the    State  College  grounds,  but  no  one  has 
been  able  to  say  positively  that  this  occurrence  is  even  a  neighbor,  to 
that  of  the  siliceous  oolite.      Nor  does  any  part  of  this  region  show  a 
conclusive  evidence  of  glacial  action.     Consequently  the  origin  of  this 
i  oolite   remains,  for  the  present,  one  of  the  unsolved   geological  para- 
doxes, and  the  collector  must  content  himself  with  its  beauty.^      , 
,-       Later. — Since  completing  the  above  article,  I  have  made  a  discovery 
'which  surprises  and  astonishes  me.     I  have  found  between  Rockwood 
(a  station  on  the  Cincinnati  Southern  Railway,  in  Roane  County,  T^nm.) 
and  the  Tennessee  River,  siliceous  oolite  in  place,  both  as  a  stratified 
-rock   and  in   masses   embedded   in   a   magnesian   limestone.     I  first 
noticed  rough  looking  pieces  among  loose  surface  flint  in  surroundings 
i  that   strikingly   remind   one   of   the    Pennsylvania   occurrence.     Bkt 
-further  search  revealed  the  beds.  ;.  .-.  :. 

tld     Whether  or  not  they  have  been  noticed  before  I  cannot  say,  but 
isatia  under;  the  impression  that  no  regular  survey  of  this  section, 


44 

ever  been  made.  It  is  quite  probable  that  further  investigation  will 
develop  facts  of  interest  as  well  as  throw  much  light  on  the  origin  and 
character  of  siliceous  oolite  as  found  in  Pennsylvania." 

For  a  structural  description  of  siliceous  oolite,  with  further  com- 
parative analyses,  see  Barbour  and  Torrey  in  the  Sept.,  '90  Number,, 
of  the  'American  Journal  of  Science. 

.,  Mr.  F.  B.  Jones  of  New  York,  sent  a  quantity  of  this  oolite  to 
Gberstein  to  be  cut  into  cubes  and  balls,  with  very  handsome  results. 

WEST  PATERSON,  N,  J. 

As  work  progressed  at  this  locality  during  the  season  of  1895 
there  was  found  a  considerable  quantity  of  quartz  lining  cavities  in 
the  trap  rock.  Milky  quartz  in  crusts  of  drusy  crystals,  groups  of 
stout  crystals,  and  large  masses  of  bright  purple  amethysts  were, 
found.  Quartz  pseudomorphs  after  natrolite  (?)  sprinkled  thickly 
with  small  crystals  of  quartz  occur  in  handsome  specimens. 

!  Other  minerals  associated  with  quartz  occur  in  very  showy  speci- 
mens. Large  transparent  crystals  of  heulandite  and  apophyllite  on 
masses  of  short  milky  quartz  crystals  occur  plentifully  in  one  part  of 
the  quarry.  The  large  masses  of  pseudomorphous  quartz  found  at 
Hoxie's  Quarry  a  few  years  ago,  were  quite  different  from  any  so  far 
found  at  this  locality. 

Amethyst  crystals  of  a  light  purple  or  pink  color  are  found  at 
Clayton,  Babun  County,  Ga.  The  color  is  unevenly  distributed,  and 
transparent  crystals  are  rare.  Crystals  with  cavities  containing  liquid 
and  movable  bubbles,  some  quite  large,  have  been  found  in  fair  quan- 
tities. The  crystals  are  generally  terminated  at  each  end  in  several 
pyramids ;  the  prism  planes  are  uneven,  the  whole  having  the  appear- 
ance of  a  multiple  crystal.  Crystals  up  to  three  inches  long  have 
been  found. 

Transparent  quartz  crystals  from  one-half  to  one  and  a  half  inches 
long,  inclosing  petroleum  in  one  or  more  cavities,  are  found  at  Gun- 
tersville,  Alabama.  There  is  one  pleasing  feature  about  these  crystals, 

—the  liquid  inclusions  will  not  freeze  should  they  be  left  in  a  cold 
room,  as  will  most  other  liquid  inclusions  with  which  collectors  are 
familiar. 

At  Newport,  Kentucky,  there  are  found  doubly  terminated  quartz 
crystals  of  the  average  size  of  those  found  in  Herkimer  County,  New 
York,  but  much  inferior  in  quality.  The  majority  of  the  crystals  are 
wonderfully  distorted ;  some  are  flattened  and  others  are  cavernous. 
.  ;  Mr.  E.  H.  Harh  has  done  a  good  deal  of  prospecting  work  in  the 
neighborhood  of  Henry,  Lincoln  County,  N.  C.,  this  year,  and  with 


45 

satisfactory  results.  A  great  many  interesting  quartz  crystals,  some 
pretty  groups  of  crystals,  and  a  quantity  of  massive  quartz  filled  with 
rutile,  have  been  gathered  in. 

None  of  the  material,  however,  differs  much  from  that  already  de- 
scribed in  the  first  part  of  this  article,  excepting  a  lot  of  what  has  been 
termed  "  porcelain  top  "  crystals,  which  are  both  attractive  and  unique. 
The  crystals  appear  to  be  glazed  or  enamelled  with  a  pinkish  white 
substance  resembling  some  porcelains,  hence  the  name.  The  glazing 
is  but  a  thin  coating  on  the  usual  crystals  found  at  this  locality. 

Messrs.  Geo.  L.  English  and  Company  have  this  year  exhibited  a 
great  \ariety  of  the  quartz  from  Lincoln  County. 

Itacolumyte  or  flexible  sandstone  occurs  at  several  places  in  the 
Southern  States,  the  most  notable  of  which  is  Linville  Mountain, 
Burke  County,  N.  C.  This  mineral  is  made  into  specimens  by  sawing 
or  cutting  it  into  strips  up  to  two  feet  long,  by  from  one  to  six  inches 
wide,  the  thickness  depending  on  the  splitting  of  the  stone  when 
quarried.  I  quote  what  follows  from  a  newspaper  clipping  • 

The  peculiarity  of  the  stone  is  that,  while  it  looks  just  like  an  or- 
dinary piece  of  sandstone,  it  is  capable  of  being  bent  in  the  hand  with 
considerable  less  force  than  is  required  to  bend  a  piece  of  wet  leather 
of  equal  thickness.  When  examined  with  a  lens,  by  reflected  light, 
the  particles  of  which  it  is  built  up  are  seen  to  be  movable  individually 
by  using  a  needle  point.  When  a  thin  slice  of  the  stone  is  looked  at 
under  a  lens,  by  transmitted  light,  the  fragments  are  seen  to  be  locked 
together,  like  the  parts  of  a -section  puzzle  toy,  fixed,  but  not  loosely. 
Of  course,  there  is  no  means  of  flipping  out  the  various  sections  of  the 
stone,  as  the  interlocking  is  not  only  in  one  plane,  but  in  every  direc- 
tion. The  simplest  way  of  explaining  how  this  stone  was  formed  is  to 
say  that  the  grains  of  sand  were  once  cemented  firmly  together  by  an- 
other material,  which  has  been  partly  dissolved,  leaving  countless 
natural  ball-and-socket  joints  of  jagged  shape  behind. 

Mr.  D.  B.  Corson  of  Concord,  New  Hampshire,  recently  sent  me  for 
examination  several  colorless  slender  quartz  crystals,  averaging  two 
inches  long,  which  were  found  at  Strafford,  Vermont.  These  crystals 
are  very  brilliant,  some  are  doubly  terminated,  and  all  taper  so  that 
the  alternate  planes  of  the  prism  are  nearly  lost  just  before  reaching 
the  pyramid.  The  terminations  are  sharp,  and  a  few  show  the  "  S  " 
plane  exquisitely. 

One  Western  locality  in  particular  I  failed  to  mention  while  dis- 
cussing that  section.  At  Seven  Rivers,  New  Mexico,  small  doubly 
terminated  ferruginous  quartz  crystals  are  found.  The  smaller 
crystals  averaging  half  an  inch  in  length  have  a  uniformly  red-brown 
color,  and  are  quite  perfect.  The  larger  crystals  average  one  and,* 


46 

"half  inches  in  length,  and  are  of  a  dirty  brown  color,  but  some  are  as 
bright  and  perfect  as  the  smaller  ones. 

Now-a-days  one  seldom  sees  any  of  the  amethysts  from  the  mines 
around  Thunder  Bay,  Lake  Superior.  Years  ago  they  were  plentiful, 
and  old  collections  usually  contain  several  fine  specimens. 

A  collection  made  by  an  old  sea  captain  living  at  Nantucket,  con- 
tains three  bright  specimens  which  are  carefully  preserved  by  his 
daughters.  The  locality  was  a  favorite  resort  of  the  late  Dr.  A.  E. 
Foote,  who  collected  and  sold  many  remarkable  specimens  of  the 
amethysts. 

A  recent  letter  from  a  mining  engineer  living  at  Kat  Portage, 
Ontario,  stated  that  he  had  for  sale  eight  specimens  averaging  6xfr 
inches,  price  $60.00  for  the  lot.  He  also  stated  that  specimens  were 
very  scarce,  because  of  work  having  ceased  years  ago  at  the  best 
localities. 

The  crystals  are  generally  stout  and  short,  dark  amethystine  in 
color,  ferruginously  flecked  just  under  the  surface  of  the  pyramidal 
faces,  and  nearly  always  very  bright  in  their  general  appearance. 

Asteriated  quartz  occurs  as  a  constituent  of  a  granitic  vein  in 
pieces  not  larger  than  a  small  egg  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  Gatineau. 
Canada.  The  stone  is  perfectly  transparent,  and  by  reflected  light 
exhibits  a  star  of  six  rays.  A  few  rare  specimens  show  this  effect  in 
ordinary  light.  Ottawa  lapidaries  charge  from  four  to  ten  dollars  per 
specimen,  according  to  quality. 

There  is  a  large  deposit  of  massive  quartz,  milky  white,  transparent 
and  some  slightly  ferruginous,  two  miles  west  of  Westminster  Park, 
Wells  Island,  St.  Lawrence  River.  This  quartz  is  suitable  for  com- 
mercial purposes,  and  is  close  to  navigation,  but  no  mining  has  yet 
been  done  at  the  locality. 

Other  near-by  islands  of  the  Thousand  Island  group  have  large 
veins  of  milky  quartz  in  granite. 

Quartz  of  good  quality   that  is  free  from  impurities  is  valuable, 

'and  parties    having    extensive   deposits   should    notify    their   State 

'  Geologist  of  the  fact,  and  request  the  address  of  people  seeking  such 

material. 


The   End. 


ESTABLISHED     1879. 


47 

DR.  A.  E.  FOOTE, 

WARREN  M.  FOOTE,  Manager, 

1224-26-28    NORTH    FORTY-FIRST    ST., 

PHILADELPHIA,  PA.,  U.  S.  A. 

MINERALS. 

THE  LARGEST  AND  MOST  VARIED  STOCK  OF  MINERALS  IN  THE 
WORLD— -not  an  idle  boast,  but  an  undisputed  statement  of  fact,  supporte1'  by  re- 
peated, comparisons. 

INDIVIDUAL  SPECIMENS  of  rarest  and  choicest  variety  for  collectors 
and  museums. 

SYSTEMATIC  COLLECTIONS  consisting  of  carefully  arranged  and 
labelled  type  specimens  of  all  common  or  important  species,  especially  adapted 
fof  educational  work,  are  sold  at  lowest  prices. 

SPECIAL  COLLECTIONS,  illustrating  the  various  ores;  the  uses  of  min- 
erals, their  physical  and  chemical  characters,  etc.,  etc. 

MINERALS  FOR  LABORATORY  and  experimental  purposes  at  lowest 
rates,  by  the  pound. 

DETATCHED  CRYSTALS  in  great  variety  and  perfection  for  students  and 
investigators. 

MICROSCOPICAL  MOUNTS  of  exceeding  beauty. 

;  Owing  to  the  enormous  stock  accumulated,  our  facilities  for  furnishing 
mineralogical  material  of  every  kind  and  quality,  are  unequalled.  In  no  other 
establishment  in  the  world  aresucha  number  and  variety  of  beautiful  and  rare 
specimens  displayed  for  sale.  Our  collections  for  educational  purposes  are 
unexcelled  for  practical  value,  attractive  appearance  and  low  price. 

THE  SPLEN  DID  CRYSTALS  OF  QUARTZ  FROM  NEAR  HOT 
SPRINGS,  FIGURED  IN  OUR  ENGRAVING  which  appears  in  this  work 
are  but  examples  of  hundreds  of  equally  beautiful  things  that  we  have  for  sale. 
Our  "  Supplement "  containing  a  copy  of  this  engraving  mailed  free.  Orders 
promptly  filled.  Inquiries  answered  and  quotations  cheerfully  furnished  to 
.intending  purchasers.  If  you  contemplate  buying  a  collection  for  college, 
school  or  student,  it  will  pay  you  to  write  us. 

T^F-  Mineral*  sent  on  approval  to  any  part  of  the  world,  by  freight,  express  or 
post:  ILLUSTRATED  CATALOGUES,  PRICE  LISTS  AND  CIRCULARS 
FREE  ON  APPLICATION. 

SCIENTIFIC  BOOKS,  PAMPHLETS,  PAPERS,  PRO* 
CEEDINGS  AND  TRANSACTIONS  OF  SOCIETIES, 
JOURNALS,  ETC. 

AN  IMMENSE  STOCK.  Catalogues  are  published  in  all  branches  of  Natural 
and  Physical  Science,  such  as  Geology,  Mineralogy,  Mining,  Botany,  Ethnology, 
Zoology,  General  Science,  Microscopy,  Physics,  Electricity,  Chemistry,  Agricul; 
ture,  Education  and  Medicine  in  all  branches. 

All  American  books  in  print  furnished  on  order,  and  foreign  books  obtained 
within  a  few  weeks. 

We  make  a  specialty  of  papers  published  in  the  Proceedings  and  Trans- 
actions of  Scientific  Societies,  and  many  of  the  scientific  men  of  the  country, 
recognizing  the  advantage  of  such  an  exchange,  have  placed  copies  o£  their 
papers  in  our  hands  for  sale. 

With  our  ever  changing  and  constantly  increasing  stock,  we  can  supply- 
old  and  recent  literature  on  all  scientific  subjects. 

Lists  of  books  and  papers  referring  to  special  subjects  will  be  promptly 
furnished  gratis  on  application. 

Please  mention  subject  in  ordering  Catalogues. 


48 

THE 


Mineral  Collector 

A  Monthly  JRRagazine, 


FOB  THE 


COLLECTOR,  STUDENT  AND  DEALER. 


m. 
OUR  attention  is  called  to  the  above  magazine,  which 
is  now  in  its  second  year  and  has  the  endorsement  of 
•^tyjfa  the  leading  mineralogists  of  this  country.  It  is  the 
**  only  magazine  published  devoted  entirely  to  Miner- 
alogy, and  the  subscription  price  is  within  the  reach  of  all. 
It  is  edited  by  Mr.  ARTHUR  CHAMBERLAIN,  member  of  the  New 
York  Mineralogical  Club  and  of  the  Brooklyn  Institute  of  Arts 
and  Science,  who  has  been  connected  with  similar  publications 
for  the  past  eleven  years.  As  the  advertisements  of  all  the 
leading  dealers  appear  in  its  pages,  it  will  keep  you  posted  on 
prices  and  on  new  finds  and  where  to  procure  them.  It  has  an 
exchange  department  for  the  use  of  Subscribers,  which  will  be 
found  a  valuable  medium  for  the  disposal  of  duplicate  speci- 
mens. If  you  wish  to  keep  up  with  the  times  you  will  find  it 
indispensable.  Send  stamp  for  sample  copy.  Address 

^      The  Mineral  Collector, 

26  John  St,  New  York  City. 


GEMS, 


EVERYTHING  NEEDED  BY  THE  MINERALOGIST. 

All  specimens  scientifically  labelled  and  classified. 

Collection  of  Natural  Crystals,  $5,00,  $10.00,  $12.00,  $25.00  ancl  $50.00. 
Collections  of  Crystal   Models,    $10.00,  $15.00,  $16.00,  $18.00,  $2400, 

$30.00,  and  $65.00. 
Hand  Goniometer,  $6.75. 
Stands  for  Crystals,  $3.50  and  $4.00  per  100. 
Collections  Illustrating  Structure,  Cleavage,  Fracture,  Tenacity,  Scale 

of  Hardness,  Specific  Gravity,   Luster,  Color,  Diaphaneity,  and 

Scale  of  Fusibility. 

Blowpipe  Collections.     Minerals  for  Blowpipe  Analysis. 
Hammers,  Chisels,  Trays,  Lenses,  Labels,  Mineral  trimmers. 
Books  on  Mineralogy  at  a  discount  from  Publishers'  Prices. 
Microscopic  Mounts  of  Minerals. 
Systematic   Collections   of   Minerals,   35c.,    75c.,    $1.50,    $2.50,    $3.00, 

$5.00,  $10.00,  $25.00,  $50.00,  $100.00,  $200.00,  $475.00,  $1,000.00, 
Collections   of   Ores  and  Metallic  Minerals,  75o.,  $2.00,  $2.50,  $3.0Q, 

$3.50,  $5.00,  $6.00,  $7.50,  $10.00,  $25.00,  $50.00,  $100.00. 
Individual  Specimens  of  Minerals,  5c.  to  $250.00. 
Gems,  cut  ready  for  setting,  25c.  to  $250.00  and  upwards. 
Collections  of  Real  Gems,  $6.00,  $25.00,  $75.00,  $250.00,  $800.00. 
Collections  of  Precious  Stones,  $20.00,  $50.00,  $100.00. 
Models  of  Gem  Minerals  and  of  Celebrated  Diamonds. 


OUR  CATALOGUE,   16TH  EDITION. 

124  pp.,  illustrated  with  87  cuts,  describes  every  mineral,  giving 
species  number,  species,  crystallographic  system,  hardness,  specific 
gravity,  chemical  composition  and  formula,  25  cents  in  paper,  50  cents 
in  cloth.  Sample  pages  free.  1 

OUR  PRICE  LISTS. 

44  pp.,  illustrated  with  57  cuts,  4  cents.  Bulletins  and  Circular^ 
Free.  

Highest  Award  at  World's  Columbian  Exposition,  Chicago,  11893,  for 

Systematic  Collection  of  Minerals. 
Highest   Award   at   World's    Columbian  Exposition  for  Collection  <}f 

Gems. 

GEQ.  L.  ENGLISH  &  CO.,  Mineralogists, 
64  EAST  12th  STREET,      NEW   YORK  CITY. 


50 

SPEAKING  OF 


QUARTZ 


AND  ITS  VARIETIES. 

When  toning  up  and  rounding  out  your  collection,  you  should 
write  and  see  what  I  can  offer  you.  I  can  furnish  at  very  reasonable 
prices,  splendid  Quartzes  from  Nova  Scotia,  New  York,  North  Carolina, 
Arkansas,  New  Mexico,  Wyoming,  England,  Germany,  Japan  and 
niany  other  localities,  in  all  the  choice  forms  and  varieties  of  color, 
milky,  smoky,  ferruginous,  clear,  amethystine,  black,  green,  pink,  red 
and  yellow  ;  asteriated,  aventurine,  capped,  cellular,  drusy,  geodes, 
hacked,  hollow,  opalescent,  radiated  and  vitreous,  quartz  with  inter- 
eating  enclosures  of  Hematite,  Hornblende,  Eutile,  Tourmaline,  etc. 

A  fine  line  of  the  varieties  of  Quartz  !  Beautiful  Agates  from 
Germany,  Azore  Islands,  and  the  United  States  ;  Amethysts  from 
Guanajauto,  Mexico,  and  from  Hungary  ;  Basanite  from  North  Caro- 
lina, Bloodstone  from  Colorado,  Carnelian  from  Wyoming  and  Brazil; 
curiously  cpntorted  forms  of  Chalcedony  of  different  colors,  associated 
with  rare  forms  of  Quartz.  Prase,  Chrysoprase,  Prasopal,  Plasma, 
Sussatite  and  Tufa,  from  Socorro  Co.,  New  Mexico  ;  Onyx  and  Sard 
from  Oberstein,  Germany  ;  Flint  from  England,  Jasper  from  Illinois, 
Novaculite  from  Arkansas,  Itacolumite  from  Georgia,  Tiger  Eye  from 
(rriqua  Land,  South  Africa;  Silicified  Oolite  from  Centre  Co.,  Pa.; 
interesting  Oolitic  Sandstone  from  Egypt  ;  Silicified,  Jasperized, 
I  Agatized  and  Opalized  Wood  from  Arizona  and  Germany. 

It  will  be  a  pleasure  to  quote  prices.     I  am  sure  I  can  please  you. 


IE\     GK 

DEALER   IN 

ffine  Minerals,  Rocks  from  Lithological  Study,  Fossils, 
Shells,  Archaeological  Specimens,  Zoological  Sped- 
:     mens,  and  Natural  Science  Material  of  all  kinds. 

Schools,   Colleges   and   Museums   supplied  at   Low   Rates.     Corre- 
spondence desired  with  all. 

1O36    A.OT 

NEW   BEDFORD,   MASS. 


51 

505-506    LIBERTY    BUILDING, 

N.  E.  COR.  LIBERTY  AND  GREENWICH  STS., 
NEW  YORK,  U.  S.  A. 

December  2,    1896. 

The  undersigned  take  pleasure  in  announcing  that  they 
have  this  day  formed  a  co-partnership  under  the  firm  name  of 

.  NIVEN  &  HOPPING, 

for  the  purpose  of  dealing  in 

MINERALS  AND  GEMS. 

We  offer  to  our  patrons  a  well  selected  stock,  gathered 
from  all  parts  of  the  world. 

SPECIALTIES. 

'''       '       ,    '  :  '      .    '     ?    't 

In  addition  to  the  rare  minerals  recently  found  on  Man- 
hattan Island  by  Mr.  Niven,  such  as  Xenotime,  Monazite, 
Autunite,  &c.,  we  have  secured  the  exclusive  agency  for  the 
PATERSON,  N.  J.,  QUARRY,  which,  as  is  well  known,  gives 
promise  of  yielding  the  most  beautiful  Zeolites  that  the  world 
has  ever  seen. 

Mr.  Niven  is  so  well  known  to  museums,  colleges  and 
collectors  as  to  need  no  introduction. 

Mr.  Hopping,  from  his  long  experience  with  the  leading 
houses  in  this  line,  will  bring  to  the  business  an  intimate  knowl- 
edge of  the  needs  of  customers,  which  will  enable  us,  we  trust, 
to  give  entire  satisfaction  in  filling  any  orders  with  which/  we 
may  be  entrusted.  Send  stamp  far  fjulletin.  ,<  c  x,. 

Awaiting  your  favors,  we  are, 

Yours  truly, 

WILLIAM;..  NIVEN. 
ROY  ..HQFTFINO.V 


62 


QUARTZ. 

QUARTZ. 

QUARTZ. 

QUARTZ  CRYSTALS,  QUARTZ  GEODES,  QUARTZ  PHANTOM, 
QUARTZ  PSEUDOMORPH. 


QUARTZ  ENCLOSURES. 

Actinolite,  Byssolite,  Bubbles,  Calcite,  Carbon,  Chlorite,  Gothite, 
Gold>  Hornblende,  Kutile,  Silver,  Tourmaline,  Tremolite. 

QUARTZ   COLORED. 

Amethyst,  Blue,  Black,  Bloodstone,  Chrysoprase,  Ferruginous, 
Green,  Onyx,  Prase,  Kose,  Sard,  Sard-onyx,  Smoky,  Yellow. 

AGATES. 

Agates,  Fortification  Agates,  Moss  Agates,  Ruined  Agates,  Water 
Agates. 

QUARTZ. 

Asteriated,  Aventurine,  Cavernous,  Cap,  Cat's  Eye,  Cellular,  Chal- 
cedony,  Chert,  Crocidolite,  Drusy,  Fibrous,  Flint,  Granular,  Horn- 
stone,  ^Radiated,  Siliceous  Sinter,  Jasperized  Wood,  Opalized  Wood, 
Silicified  Wood. 

RARE  FORMS.          ODD  FORMS.          CURIOUS  FORMS. 
QUARTZ  IS  OUR  SPECIALTY. 

Collectors  wishing  to  buy  at  low  prices,  will  find  it  to  their  advan- 
tage  to  correspond  with  us,  as  we  keep  in  stock  a  fine  large  assort - 
nt.     Prices  on  application. 

N.    L.   WILSON, 

170  TBEMONT  ST.,  BOSTON,  MASS. 


63 


SYSTEMATIC    COLLECTIONS. 

My  facilities  for  securing  educational  materials,  enable  me  to  take  the  lead  in  furnish- 
ing systematic  collections  for  teaching  MINERALOGY,  GEOLOGY  and  ZOOLOGY  in 
Schools  and  Colleges.  Individual  Specimens  also  furnished,  among  which  we  would 
call  attention  to  the  following  :  Sulphur,  Girgenti,  Sicily,  single  crystals  and  groups, 
from  $1  to  $5.  Stibnite,  Hollister,  California,  crystals  in  groups,  50c.  to  $10.  Crystal- 
lized Silver  associated  with  copper,  Lake  Superior  region,  $7  to  $10.  Opal,  Washington, 
various  shades,  yellow,  brown  and  green,  25c.  to  $3.  Opals,  cut,  from  Australia,  Mexico, 
Hungary  and  Washington,  50c.  to  $25.  Beryl,  Yancey  Co.,  N.  C.,  25c.  to  $2. 
Quartz  Crystals,  greatly  modified,  from  Tennessee,  lOc.  to  $1.  Zunyite, 
Colorado,  50c.  to  $1.50.  Topaz,  Utah,  20c.  to  $1.  Tourmaline,  brown  and  black,  N.  Y., 
25c.  to  $5.  Titanite,  Canada  and  N.  Y.,  25c.  to  $5.  Anglesite,  Sardinia,  $1  to  $3.50. 
Landscape  Marble,  England,  50c.  to  $3.50.  Zoisite,  Mass.,  25c.  to  $2.  Catalogue 
sent  on  receipt  of  6  cts.  in  postage  stamps. 

RELIEF   MAPS. 

New  model  of  the  United  States,  with  adjacent  ocean  bottoms,  modeled  on  correct 
curvature.  Circular  describing  35  Belief  Mapi  free. 

METEORITES. 

A  good  price  paid  for  meteorites  of  all  kinds.  New  and  undescribed  ones  especially 
desired.  An  extra  price  paid  for  the  entire  "  find  "  or  "fall."  Meteorites  also  cut,  pol- 
ished and  etched. 

WASHINGTON     SCHOOL     COLLECTIONS. 

Minerals,  Rocks,  Invertebrate  Animals. 

Unquestionably  the  best  collections  for  the  money  ($2.00  to  $3.50  each)  ever  offer  in 
this  country.  Descriptive  Catalologue  and  Text  Book  of  64  pages  (price  20  cts.)  accom- 
panies each  collection.  Send  for  circular. 

BUILDING    STONES. 

20  Specimen*,  in  neat  case,  of  the  various  Granites,  Marbles,  Limestones,  and  Sand- 
stones used  in  the  Public  I  Buildings  of  the  National  Capital.  Sent  to  any  address,  pre- 
paid, on  receipt  of  85  cents.  5  collections  to  one  address  $3.50. 


EDWIN   E.  HOWELL, 

612  Seventeenth  St.,  N.  W.,  Washington,  D.  C. 


WALL  WHITE  CHALCEDONY. 

One-half  dozen  differing  rare  interiors 
of  beautiiul  crystals  which  I  name 
Quartz,  Frost,  Snow,  Chalcedony,  Calcite 
(loose  rhombs),  Selenite,  and  lavender  tint, 
15c,  to  85c.  each.  Set  of  7  for  $1.75  post- 
paid. Found  in  the  marl  on  Cheyenne 
liner.  Nothing  like  them. 

25  Minerals  for  Schools,  2x2,  for  $2.00. 
50  Minerals  for  Schools,  2x2,  lor  $3.75. 
FOSSILS  of  BAD  LANDS. 
MINERALS  of  the  WORLD. 
INDIAN  RELICS  of  all  Kinds.    " 
Catalogue  for  stamp. 
Eleven  years  in  the  trade. 
Wholesale  and  retail. 

Black  Hills  Natural  His:ory  Establish- 
ment of 

K   W.    STILWELL, 

DEADWOOD,  So.  DAK. 

NEW.— Wine  color  translucent  Barite, 
Golden  Calcite  groups,  and  Griphite,  all 
Black  Hills. 


A.  J.  I^inde, 


26  JOHN  STREET, 
NEW  YORK  CITY. 

IN/lanuifacturer  of 


and   all   ACCESSARIES, 
HAMMERS,  CHISELS, 
DRILLS,  etc. 


Gems   cut  and    mounted  in  all 
styles  at  moderate  prices. 


Engraving,     chasing,    and    die 
And  seal  cutting  neatly  executed. 


£^%^%'%/%'*/%'%/%/%^%,'v%^ 

I  QUARTZ*  \ 

i'%'%^  AND  ANY  OF  ITS  *^%^%^i 
f        VARIETIES.        # 

Parties  having  specimens  to 
dispose  of  may  correspond  with 
me,  and  be  sure  of  prompt  replies. 

Localities  at  which  quartz  oc- 
curs or  is  found  are  particularly 
interesting  to  me,  and  reports 
concerning  them  will  be  gladly 
received  and  acknowledged. 

ALBERT   C.   BATES, 

320  Roseville  Ave., 

Newark,  N.  J. 


A.  N.  FULLER, 
Lawrence. 

y 

Kansas. 


in 


Jim  minerals 

FROM    ALL   PARTS 
OF   THE   WORLD. 

Rare  and  Beautiful  Specimens  for 
the-  Amateur,  Mineralogist  and 
General  Collector,  at  very  moder- 
ate prices. 

Schools  and  Colleges  supplied. 


55 


DANA'S 

SERIES  OF  MINERALOGIES, 

FOR  BEGINNERS  AND  SUITABLE 
FOR  HIGH  SCHOOLS, 

MINERALS,   AND   HOW   TO  STUDY  THEM. 

By  Prof.  E.  S.  Dana  .............  .i2mo,  cloth,     $i.5o 


For    Advanced     Instruction    in    Schools    and 
Elementary  Instruction  in  Colleges, 

MANUAL  OF  MINERALOGY  AND  PETROGRAPHY. 

By  Jas.  D.  Dana,  LL.D.     Twelfth  edition. 

I2mo,  cloth,     '$2,00 

:*:       •••      ••• 

For   Advanced    Instruction    in  Schools  of 

Science. 

A  TEXT-BOOK   OF   MINERALOGY. 

By  Edw.  S.  Dana.     Seventeenth  edition.    8vo,  cloth,     13.60 

NEW  "SYSTEM   OF  MINERALOGY," 

Sixth  edition.  .  .  .  ........  1  197  pp.,  1426  Cuts,     #i2.5o 

CATALOGUE     OF     AMERICAN      LOCALITIES     OF 
MINERALS. 

Reprinted  from  sixth  edition  of  the  System. 

8vo,  cloth,     $1.00 

JOHN    WILEY  &  SONS, 

.  53    EAST  TENTH    STREET,    NEW    YORK 


NORTH 

CAROLINA 

CRYSTALS. 

The  Western  part  of  North 
Carolina  has  become  celebrated, 
and  justly  so,  not  only  for  the 
great  number  of  different  Miner- 
als found  there,  but  for  the  rare 
forms  and  species.  Even  in  the 
common  minerals  Nature  has  been 
so  lavish  in  making  them,  either 
on  so  gigantic  a  scale  or  of  such 
surpassing  beauty  and  brilliancy, 
as  to  excite  our  admiration. 

Much  of  the  territory  is  as  yet 
wholly  unexplored,  and  as  it  be- 
comes more  thoroughly  pros- 
pected, new  wonders  in  the  min- 
eral kingdom  will  be  added  to  the 
long  list  that  are  favorites  with 
collectors.  I  am  permanently  lo- 
cated right  in  the  heart  of  this 
section  of  the  State.  It  was 
through  my  efforts  that  the  wealth 
and  importance  of  the  great  quartz 
belt  of  Lincoln  and  Catawba 
Counties  was  brought  before  the 
public  two  years  ago  and  no  labor 
shall  be  spared  while  any  section 
lies  unexplored.  I  have  men  in 
almost  every  county  always  on 
the  alert  for  something  of  extra 
merit.  I  make  a  specialty  of 
Crystals  and  Gem  Stones  in 
rough,  but  will  collect  in  any 
branch.  Let  me  know  your  wants 
and  send  your  orders  ahead,  and 
if  not  in  stock  every  effort  will  be 
made  to  collect  it. 

Write  for  lists  and  prices.  Es- 
timates cheerfully  given  on  speci- 
mens or  collections  for  colleges, 
etc.  Respectfully, 

E.   H.   HARN, 
Henry,  Lincoln  County, 
North  Carolina. 


THE 

FAVORITE 

GEM-HOLDER. 

Price 15  Cts. 

Per  dozen $1.50 

Per  Hundred $11.00 

This  Gem-Holder  is  made  with 
four  prongs  and  is  finished  so  that 
an  eighth  carat  stone  can  be  held 
without  being  hidden  by  the  teeth, 
a  virtue  not  possessed  by  any 
other  holder.  It  will  also  hold 
rough  specimens  and  crystals  up 
to  15  carats.  It  is  nickel  plated 
and  finished  in  the  neatest  man- 
ner. 

ARTHUR  CHAMBERLAIN, 

237  N.  7th  St.,          Newark,  N.  J. 

The 

Mineralogists' 
Monthly.  A 

I   have   still   on  hand  a  few 

sets  of 

VOLS.  VI  and  VII 

of  this  magazine,  full  of  in- 
teresting reading  which  I 
wish  to  close  out.  Also 
some  sets  of  Vol.  V  of  the 

EXCHANGERS'  MONTHLY. 

Price  50  cts.  per  volume. 
AETHUE  CHAMBERLAIN, 

7th  Street,  Newark,  N.  J. 


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